Thursday, June 26, 2003

Lowe's Plans Summer 2004 Roanoke Rapids Opening

Lance Martin

Herald Staff Writer

ROANOKE RAPIDS -- Lowe's has made it official -- it will build a new retail store in Roanoke Rapids.

Preparations for the new store have been public knowledge for several months. Now the company has formally announced to open a store here by next summer.

The decision represents a $16.5 million investment in the city and will create approximately 175 new jobs, the company said in a news release.

The sales floor and garden center will feature more than 40,000 different products and varieties, the company said. The store will sell tools, fixtures, appliances and furnishings in addition to flowers, bushes, trees and garden supplies.

Last year, the company opened a regional distribution center in Garysburg.

Lowe's spokeswoman Chris Ahearn said while having the center was a plus, it was actually the location that prompted company officials to choose build a retail store in Roanoke Rapids. "We do like to have stores close to our RDC's. The primary focus was the homeowners in the area and the availability of a great location."

The company is also in the middle of one of its most aggressive expansions programs, Ahearn said. "We're very excited being able to bring a store to Roanoke Rapids. We're anxious to get under way with construction. We're very much looking forward to serving the homeowners of Roanoke Rapids."

The new store will be located in the Plaza Shopping Center off Julian Allsbrook Highway. Lowe's will install an entrance drive on Old Farm Road, directly across the road from the current Wal-Mart parking lot entrance. Another driveway entrance will run beside Ruby Tuesday, in alignment with Premier Boulevard on the other side of Julian Allsbrook Highway.

The current Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store and Rose's Department Store will be torn down to expand parking for the project. The two side strip malls, which include New China Restaurant and Jansco/Ed's Shoe Repair will be left intact.

Ahearn said the 94,000 square-foot building will be built in the same format as other Lowe's stores.

Brenda Blackburn, executive vice president of the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce said she was pleased by the news. "We are excited to see that Lowe's Home Improvement has decided to open a retail store in Roanoke Rapids. By doing so, they not only create much needed jobs for area residents, but also keep retail dollars in our community that are currently going to Rocky Mount."

Blackburn said the investment the company is making in the Roanoke Valley shows it is confident in the area. "With an initial investment of more than $16 million, Lowe's obviously sees tremendous opportunity in the Roanoke Valley retail market. We hope this announcement, in conjunction with the opening of Premier Landing, will be the impetus for other businesses to take advantage of what the Roanoke Valley has to offer."