Bill Haas has not been in the industry long.</p><p>About two years ago his business partner suggested he might want to look into Aaron's Inc. Twenty-four months later he opened his third store at 2160 E. Pacheco Blvd. in Los Ba&#241;os.</p><p>Haas is satisfied with his job.</p><p>"It's a type of business that's creating win-win situations," he said. "It's a profitable business for me and my company as owners, and it's a benefit to our customers as well."</p><p>Aaron's Inc. was founded in 1955 and has more than 1,600 locations nationwide. The business caters to a customer base with a moderate-income, who it offers payment plans for merchandise ranging from furniture to electronics and appliances.</p><p>Haas, who also owns stores in Fresno and Porterville, said he felt the timing was right to open a location in Los Ba&#241;os.</p><p>"It seems like it was a puzzle that all fit together. The lease rates were advantageous, the economics worked, the community's here, and we're excited about being here," Haas said.</p><p>Aaron's Inc. signed a 10-year lease in a location that has had many businesses try and fail. He said he's glad to be able to bring in a store the community can be confident will stick around.</p><p>He also complemented the hospitality members of the community have shown him and his store.</p><p>"The welcoming that we've had from this community has been phenomenal," Haas said.</p><p>Manager Ron Spears, a 20-year veteran at Aaron's Inc. stores, echoed Haas' sentiments. He said the response from the public has been positive. </p><p>Spears used to manage an Aaron's Inc. in Porterville. He recently moved his family to Los Ba&#241;os to be close to his new job. He said the people he's encountered have had overwhelmingly positive things to say about Los Ba&#241;os. He also said business hasn't been bad during the month the store's been open.</p><p>Haas recognizes that one of his company's biggest competitors, Rent-A-Center, has a location mere blocks from Aaron's Inc. But sharing Los Ba&#241;os doesn't bother him.</p><p>"I think that just like the scenario of Lowe's and Home Depot, they're competitors yes, but it's not a tit-for-tat competition. I think that makes it possible for both of them to exist in the same community," Haas said. "I think the same can be said of Aaron's and Rent-A-Center. There's no reason they can't exist in the same community, and they do all across the nation. We're in the same industry but there's enough difference between the two of us that there's different levels of customers."</p><p>Haas said Aaron's is a good business because it's a corporation that is customer-oriented. He said the recession was not an overriding factor in his decision to open the new store.</p><p>"Even prior to the downturn it was a great company to be affiliated with," he said.</p><p><i>Enterprise staff writer Corey Pride can be reached at 388-6563 or cpride@losbanosenterprise.com</i>