RUMFORD – Contractors are busy at the future Marden’s store preparing for an opening sometime next month.

Store manager Tom Langlois said Tuesday that the original opening date set for later this month was moved to late May because of decisions to do more renovations than had been planned.

He said a new floor is being laid, and new, brighter lighting has been installed.

“We’re trying to use local contractors for the work,” he said.

At any one time, at least a dozen carpenters or other tradesmen are at work in the 40,000-square-foot space that was once the home of Ames Department Store.

Langlois, of Monmouth, had been assistant manager of the Lewiston Marden’s before coming to the discount retailer’s newest store.

“Lots of people are stopping by to see what’s going on,” he said.

Among them are people who are looking for one of the 30 to 40 part- and full-time jobs that will be filled prior to opening.

So far, about a half-dozen people have been hired, including assistant manager Julie Gudbrandsen of Andover.

Langlois said applications for the open positions may be taken at the Route 2 site or at the Rumford CareerCenter.

Jay Wise, owner of the River Valley Crossing Shopping Center, said recently that once Marden’s opens, other businesses may lease other vacant storefronts at the site.

He said last month that he is talking with two food-related businesses that have shown interest in leasing a space.

The Dollar Tree is located at the shopping center.