Lowe’s, the do-it-yourself retailer, is investing $12 million to build a one-stop shopping site for appliances, furnishings, building materials and lawn/garden products in Live Oak.

Fast behind Lowe’s is Fred’s, the new kid on the block in North Florida with everything from groceries to home decorative items and furniture.

The new Lowe’s is rising from the bare ground on US 129 north at 72nd Trace with amazing speed. One day there were huge earth-moving machines leveling ground, but within the next day or so, the 94,000 square feet of retail sales space was surrounded with concrete block walls! The new Lowe’s store is expected to open in the fourth quarter this year, estimated to possibly be in October. The do-it-yourself retailer is known for helping homeowners find the right equipment and supplies to build, improve, beautify and enjoy their homes.

Fred’s opened in 1947 in Coldwater, MS and now has more than 600 stores and 261 pharmacies in 15 states throughout the Southeast and is growing at an aggressive rate. And, at Fred’s, every Saturday they double coupons up to 70 cents!

Joey Bivins, Fred’s VP for Real Estate, said May 23 the store should be open the last of June or around the first of July. The new store will be larger than most Fred’s stores with around 18,000 to 20,000 square feet inside part of the old Kmart building on US 129 south.

Lowe’s says it is proud to offer 32,000 products under one roof. The new store will have a more than 27,000 square foot garden center with an impressive selection of flowers, bushes, trees and garden supplies tailored to the Florida climate and lifestyle.

A store of this size represents an average investment for the company of $12 million and creates up to 120 new jobs, according to Lowe’s.

Lowe’s reaches out to the community through partnerships with the American Red Cross, United Way, Habitat for Humanity and the Home Safety Council to create safer homes. In addition, in 2005 Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation contributed more than $13 million to support educational and community projects across the country. With fiscal year 2005 sales of $43.2 billion, Lowe’s Companies, Inc. is a FORTUNE 500 company that serves approximately 12 million customers a week at more than 1,250 home improvement stores in 49 states. Based in Mooresville, N.C., the 60-year old company is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

FAST FACTS ABOUT LOWE’S:

*The first store opened in Florida in 1981; Currently it has 81 stores in Florida with stores under construction in Live Oak, Estero, Hialeah, Indian Harbor Beach, Northeast Gainesville, North Jacksonville, North Tampa, Poinciana, South Central Jacksonville and Winter Garden

*Employs approximately 185,000 people, including more than 15,500 employees in Florida

*Nation’s 2nd largest appliance retailer, with more than 250 models in stock daily

Fred’s will be across from South Oaks Square and behind the new Walgreens and Burger King. The store will bring more shopping opportunities to the southern section of Live Oak. Work is progressing on the renovations at the store for the anticipated opening date in about 30 days.

“We always hire quite a few more employees in the beginning to stock the store, but after opening there will probably be around 15 employees,” Bivins said. He added there typically is a grand opening event for about a week with sales, followed by other monthly sales throughout the year and during the Christmas holidays.

“We’re looking forward to being part of your community,” Bivins said. “I don’t think any of the local merchants will have to worry about going out of business with our opening as we co-exist well with other businesses,” he added.

* The typical Fred’s store is 16,000 square feet in size.

* Fred’s provides employment for approximately 10,000 people.

* Fred’s headquarters and distribution center is located in Memphis, Tenn.

* In April 2003, Fred’s opened its second distribution center in Dublin, Ga.

Fred’s has everything from greeting cards to dog food in their stores, along with school supplies, beauty care, food and beverage items, home furnishings, a full line of pet needs, electronics, tobacco products, great toys for your little ones, and seasonal lawn and garden items!

At Fred’s you can find a full complement of outdoor furniture, pots and planters, indoor/outdoor chemicals, garden hoses and accessories, basic gardening tools, barbecue grills and accessories and also Fred’s stocks spring and fall flower bulbs.

Susan K. Lamb may be reached by calling 1-386-362-1734 ext. 131 or by emailing susan.lamb@gaflnews.com