BIDDEFORD — Kohl’s Department Store in Biddeford, which had closed its doors months ago for reconstruction, has now reopened.

Although the official grand opening of the 68,000 square foot building took place today, the store has already been open for about one week. The newly constructed building is located at the original 75 Gateway Plaza location off Route 111.

On Thursday, the parking lot was busy as customers wanted to get a head start on breaking in the new store.

According to a press release from the company, “the store features new enhancements and the company’s latest store design to provide customers with an easy shopping experience.”

Features include updated check-outs, newly designed shopping carts, redesigned fitting rooms and beauty department, an expanded customer service area located at the front of the store, in-store Kohl’s Kiosks, free Wi-Fi throughout the store, and more.

“In addition,” according to the statement, “the store was built according to a prototype that received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification at the Gold level from the U.S. Green Building Council and will pursue LEED certification in the coming months. Features of Kohl’s LEED stores include use of more than 20 percent recycled and 20 percent regionally sourced (by cost) building materials, use of a cool white ENERGY STAR-rated roof and water-efficient landscaping and plumbing fixtures, among many other attributes.”

The original store, built in 2005, was taken down because of soil problems, which led to cracks in the building and some building sinkage, said Code Enforcement Officer Roby Fecteau.

About seven or eight years ago, he said, his office was notified about cracks in the wall and floors of the Kohl’s building. His office investigated and found evidence of the cracks as well as evidence that the building had sunk into the ground, said Fecteau.

His office didn’t take action on these issues, said Fecteau, because the building was found to be structurally sound.

Kohl’s decided on its own to tear down the existing building and construct a new one about 150 feet from the right hand corner of the previous location, he said.

The problems with the former building appeared to stem from improper soil that was used for fill after a driving range that was located on the property was closed, said Fecteau.

There should be no similar problems at the site of the store’s new location, he said, because it will be located on ledge.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or [email protected].