SMITHFIELD — Despite the recession, construction is under way at two spots on Bright Leaf Boulevard. An O’Reilly Auto Parts and an expansion at the ABC store will both open in late August.

The O’Reilly store, at 816 N. Bright Leaf across from Andy’s Burgers, will be the first in Johnston County. The Missouri-based chain has about 50 stores across the state, including Raleigh and Angier.

O’Reilly has added a number of stores in North Carolina since opening a distribution center in Greensboro.

“We grow around where our distribution centers are,” said Mark Merz, manager of investor relations. “We are very aggressive with our expansion.”

Merz said the company chose Smithfield because of population growth in the area and because it has a good mix of potential customers. About half of the chain’s customers are professional mechanics, while the other half are looking to work on their own cars.

The 7,200-square-foot store will have a full line of auto parts, with the exception of tires and body parts. The store won’t do car repairs but will provide advice on installing parts.

The store’s opening will bring seven to 11 jobs to Smithfield. The chain will bring in a manager from an existing store, but the company is looking for locals with auto-parts experience to fill the other jobs.

Applications are available at www.oreillyauto.com.

Shortly after opening, the store will host a grand opening with discounts and giveaways. It will also make a donation to a local charity.

The Town of Smithfield approved the store’s design in March.

A few blocks down the street, customers at the Smithfield ABC store will have more choices when the store finishes its expansion.

Swade Carroll, general manager, said construction started last month to increase the sales floor by 75 percent. “The sales area was too small,” he said. “The store is old and in need of remodeling.”

A bigger building will allow the store to offer a wider selection. Carroll said many customers have asked for brands sold in other Johnston County ABC stores, but he didn’t have room to stock them.

Because of safety issues caused by construction, the store will have to close from time to time this summer.

During closings, customers will be directed to the ABC store on South Pollock Street in Selma.

“We’re trying to keep it open as much as possible,” Carroll said.

The cost of the expansion is estimated at $360,000, which will come from store revenues. Carroll said sales are up slightly throughout the county’s seven ABC stores, but are down a bit in Smithfield.