Published: August 29, 2006 05:08 pm      

Lowe’s opens in Live Oak

The long wait for Lowe’s is finally over. The home improvement superstore opened Monday in Live Oak, four days ahead of schedule.

“It’s a soft opening,” said sales manager Mary Ann Reilly. “We want to check all of our operations to make sure we’re fully prepared to serve our customers.” Grand opening festivities are scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 6.

The store, located at 208 72nd Trace on US 129 north, boasts 94,000 square feet of retail sales space with an adjacent garden center. Lowe’s will stock 32,000 different items to help customers build, improve and beautify their homes.

The new addition to the Live Oak business community seems to be a hit with customers. “There’s everything in here,” said Janice McCall, who came in Tuesday morning for a generator cord. Isabella Munsell came in to buy a mirror. She said the opening of Lowe’s means she won’t be driving to Valdosta or Lake City any longer for such items.

Lowe’s carries more than just building supplies. There are appliances, including washers, dryers, dishwashers, water heaters and refrigerators. You can also find grills, greenhouses, ladders, mailboxes, plumbing supplies, paint, furniture and just about anything else you might need to build, remodel or otherwise improve your home. Lowe’s serves retail as well as commercial customers.

Approximately 140 local jobs were created by the opening of the Live Oak Lowe’s.

With sales of $43.2 billion in 2005, Lowe’s is a FORTUNE 50 company that serves approximately 12 million customers a week at more than 1,250 stores in 49 states. Based in Mooresville, N.C., the 60-year old company is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world.