Internet and cable company Comcast is opening a retail space in Springfield, in part to support a new mobile phone service the company is launching.

The 4,300-square-foot XFINITY Store will be located at 3409 Freedom Dr., the former location of Dress Barn, and is slated to open near the end of the year.

“The store will enhance the customer experience by giving our employees the ability to demonstrate the latest Xfinity products and services and educate visitors about all of their features,” said John Crowley, Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region senior vice president. “In addition, the store has comfortable seating areas that allow visitors to settle in and experience our products and services as though they’re in their own homes.”

Comcast has already opened 198 such stores, with plans to open a new one each week this year. The stores function as retail and demonstration spaces for Comcast’s growing list of services, including cable TV, internet, home security and automation, and soon, a mobile phone service based on the Verizon network.

The mobile service will operate on mobile data and WiFi, offering per-gigabyte plans and fixed-price unlimited plans.  Comcast is also reportedly in talks with Sprint on a different proposed deal.

Once the Springfield store is open, it will employ about 15 people, and the existing Comcast service center on Dirksen Parkway will close. The significantly larger new store will still allow customers to pay bills and pick up and return equipment.

Chris Hembrough, president and CEO of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, said he’s pleased Comcast is opening a store in Springfield.

“Parkway Pointe is a convenient, vibrant retail location that will attract customers and other visitors from across Springfield, Sangamon County and a host of nearby communities,” he said.