PRESQUE ISLE – The city received good news Nov. 8, with the announcement by Lowe’s that it will soon begin development of its newest store at the location of the former Aroostook Centre Cinema, on Maysville Street.

“A new Lowe’s will soon be under way at the east end of the Aroostook Centre Mall on Maysville Street,” stated Jennifer Smith, a Lowe’s representative. “The new Lowe’s store is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2006.”

The do- it-yourself retailer is best known for helping homeowners find the appropriate equipment and supplies to beautify, improve or build their homes for optimal enjoyment.

The company is proud of its products and looks forward to serving Presque Isle and the surrounding communities.

“Lowe’s is proud to offer 32,000 products under one roof. The home improvement warehouse store will have 102,000 square feet of retail sales space, with a more than 32,000 square foot garden center offering an impressive selection of flowers, bushes, trees and garden supplies tailored to the Maine climate and lifestyle,” said Smith.

Smith indicated a store of this size represents an average investment for the company of
$12 million and creates up to 120 new jobs.

Mall Manager Patti Crooks said the deal with Lowe’s has been a long time in the works but she’s thrilled with the company’s agreement to develop so close to the mall.

“It’s such a positive thing for the community, the mall and individuals as well. There will be so many more choices available to everyone, with the opening of the new store,” said Crooks.

Crooks added that it was a wonderful thing for Aroostook County, as a whole, since it means more revenue coming into the area, as well as more jobs for local people.

“We welcome and embrace them. It’s great to have a Fortune 500 company coming our
way,” she said.

Lowe’s won’t be the only business in town with ties to the Fortune 500 list. It will join
the likes of other local businesses on the list, including: Wal-Mart; Time Warner Inc.;
The Allstate Corporation; Sears; Roebuck & Co.; The Coca-Cola Company; Verizon
Communications and H & R Block, Inc.

“This is key – the fact they’re a Fortune 500 company investing in the County – that’s a
statement of belief in the potential of the County,” said Crooks.

In fiscal year 2004, Lowe’s had sales of $36.5 billion, serving approximately 11 billion customers a week at more than 1,150 home improvement stores in 49 states.

“Based in Mooresville, N.C., the 59- year-old company is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world,” said Smith.

City officials were pleased to hear the news as well. “It’s about time,” said Gerry McAvaddy, the city’s code enforcement officer. “They took out the demolition permit a while ago, so I knew it was just a matter of time before the announcement was made.”

McAvaddy said while demolition work at the former theatre site will most likely begin
in the next few weeks, he hoped construction wouldn’t begin until after the first of the
year.

“I may ask them to wait (on building) until after the first of the year so that it will go onto next year’s city revenue,” said McAvaddy.

While the demolition permit was taken out a couple months ago by Lowe’s officials, McAvaddy said he did not have a name for the contractor slated to do the project.

“I gave them a list of local contractors but they haven’t specified which company has
been selected to do the work,” he said.

Jim Brown, planning and development director for the city, sees positive things ahead for the city, following Lowe’s announcement.

“I’m very encouraged by the news. I think it’s excellent,” said Brown. “Now that they’ve released the news, it tells the rest of the world central Aroostook County is a spot where retail development can occur.”

Crooks had a similar feeling, indicating Lowe’s arrival would most likely spur interest in available mall space.

“Because Lowe’s has signed (to develop next to the mall), we’ve had increased interest in the mall. The fact that it gives us more choices is wonderful. They offer extended hours, open Sundays – they aggressively try to meet the needs of the community they serve,” said Crooks. “It adds to the strength and power of the economic base of the community.”

Local non-profit agencies will most likely benefit, with the coming of Lowe’s.

“Lowe’s reaches out to the community through partnerships with the American Red Cross, United Way and Habitat for Humanity. In addition, the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation gives more than $3 million each year to support educational and community projects across the country,” said Smith.

The Presque Isle location will make Lowe’s third store in Maine. Two others are under construction in North Windham and Portland. The company employs approximately 175,000 people, including more than 200 employees in Maine.

Crooks said the new store would most likely employ close to 200 individuals, once it was up and running at full capacity.

“It’s great news for the area. To bring this many jobs to a community is fantastic news,” said Crooks.

Brown said he could see future economic growth coming about, due to Lowe’s arrival.

“If a company with the strength and national retail significance of Lowe’s finds our area attractive, I would suspect we would see some secondary development to follow,” he said.
Brown indicated that communication has gone well with the company since it first expressed interest in the Star City.

“We’ve had a good relationship with the company through the development phase. On the strength of that, I think we can very easily anticipate a continued good relationship with the company after construction is completed,” he said.

Prior to the mall’s arrival, Brown said businesses serving the area were basically New England-based chains. With the coming of Lowe’s, he believes there’s potential for other national stores to take interest in the area.

“Now that we’ve opened the door to the rest of the country’s business world, we’re starting to take on characteristics of a retail center – a commercial center. We’re pleased to welcome them to our community. We’re going to see additional things come out of this, I’m sure of it,” said Brown.