THOMASVILLE — A Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse is expected to open in the summer of 2002 in a retail development off U.S. 19 South and Smith Avenue.

Mills Herndon, who represents 1984 LLC, the partnership that owns the 55-acre tract where Lowe’s will be built, described the store locating here as a home run for Thomasville.

The 150,000-square-foot structure will represent a $16.5 million investment and provide 175 jobs.

Herndon, who has a small interest in 1984 LLC, said Lowe’s will anchor the development, to be known as Park Place. The company purchased 24 acres.

The store, which will be built on the north end of the land, will front on U.S. 19. A street will be built from the U.S. highway to Pine Tree.

Herndon said an engineering firm was hired to conduct a traffic count study needed for a traffic light on 19. The study has gone to the Georgia Department of Transportation.

“This will be the largest store that they build,” Herndon said.

He has been working with Lowe’s for almost five years in an effort to get the business to locate in Thomasville. 1984 LLC secured the property a year ago, and Lowe’s began to show an interest about the same time. The company looked at other sites.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Herndon said, noting the recent loss of hundreds of local industry jobs.

An upscale development will occupy the remainder of Park Place. A restaurant, other retailers and a hotel/motel are planned for the site in the next 1 1/2 to two years.

“We’ve had a lot of interest from restaurants and other retail,” Herndon said.

He expects interest in Park Place to escalate now because of Lowe’s locating there.

In addition to tools, fixtures, appliances and furnishings, Lowe’s will offer flowers, bushes, trees and garden supplies tailored to the local climate and lifestyle.



Senior reporter Patti Ward can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 220.