|
|
|
|
|
Cover Story
Lowe’s opens new store in East Bremerton |
After more than a year of negotiation trying to keep it inside the city limits of Bremerton, and months of construction, the new Lowe’s Home Improvement Center opened in East Bremerton on Dec. 19 – a day earlier than scheduled.
Located at 5600 Highway 303, between Fuson Road and Franklin Avenue, the new location is about a mile north of its former location at the intersection of Wheaton Way and Riddell Road and is not inside the city limits.
The stand-alone store is about 40,000 sq. ft. larger than the store it replaced. Lowe’s originally wanted to build on the site of its former location and stay inside the city limits, but permitting issues as well as other legal problems arising with both the property owner and the city couldn’t be worked out. After more than a year of trying, Lowe’s finally decided to move up the road where it could begin construction in a timelier manner.
The city will share sales tax revenue with the county for a period of time to soften the blow of losing such a major retailer.
A grand opening ceremony was held the night before the new store opened to the public. The dedication of the newest Lowe’s was attended by Commissioners Jan Angel and Patty Lent, Rep. Beverly Woods and Sen. Betti Sheldon. There were other numerous dignitaries in attendance, including most of the local media, as well as officials from Lowe’s.
|
|
|
Matt Siminich, manager of the new Lowe’s Home Improvement Center in East Bremerton
|
Store manager Matt Siminich spoke after the new store was dedicated by Bishop Greg Leach of one of Central Kitsap churches. Then, Commissioner Jan Angel sawed through the ceremonial golden board to officially open the store.
Siminich recognized his employees extensively in his remarks, crediting them for the high level of customer service that has increased the store’s market share enough to warrant the investment the chain has made.
His employees presented him with a matted and framed photo signed by all of the store’s staff members.
“We’re looking forward to giving our customers an enhanced shopping experience and being able to serve them in any way we can,” commented Siminich. “Our team here really prides itself on going the extra mile for our customers, and now we have the facilities, the room and lots more products to be able to do that. We’re all excited by the opportunity we have here.”
Siminich was recognized last year by the Business Journal as one of its Business Person of the Year finalists and honored as a person most likely to have an impact on the county business scene in the future.
|
|
| |
|
| |
