Lowe’s opening soon

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Shelves are stocked and new associates are learning about their wares in preparation for the opening of Tiffin's newest retailer Friday morning.

Lowe's is to be hosting a commercial customer appreciation event, while opening its doors for the first time at 7 a.m. Friday. Although regular customers are welcome at that time, special grand opening promotions will not begin until Nov. 6.

Todd Hays, Lowe's store manager, described the different departments in the 98,000- square-foot building now employing about 110 people, most full-time.

Greeting customers at the front of the store is the lawn and garden section, now transformed sporting a Christmas theme, complete with artificial trees and large inflatable figures. Hays said a selection of live trees, poinsettia and other holiday-themed plants will be in the outdoor space closer to Thanksgiving.

For year-round grill masters, and those who love them, Lowe's is to carry a selection, which tend do well in sales over the holidays. Seasonal heating, including gas fireplaces and outdoor firepits are featured on the left side of the store. Snowblowers and other snow removal equipment leads the way to the fashion bath section.

"That's anything in the bathroom that you can see, such as the toilets, faucets and sinks," he said.

Appliances and kitchen cabinetry, countertops and decorative sinks and backsplashes are towards the back of the store.

Groups of associates were stocking some last-minute items, or learning more about products in their departments this week.

Hays said product vendors are conducting trainings so the associates can better assist the customer.

The store has large and small appliances, and Hays said floorcare products do well in sales. Toaster ovens, coffee makers, and others line shelves, along with an assortment of small kitchen tools and gadgets.

The home decor section has a selection of wallpaper, curtains, blinds and mirrors. Next to it is fashion electric, with track lighting, pendant lighting, chandeliers, lamps and ceiling fans.

In the flooring department, customers can choose from carpeting, tile, wood or laminate flooring.

One of the different things about the newer stores, Hays said, is the building projects area is together, rather than scattered throughout the store. Do-it-yourselfers can find materials, tools and plans for roofing, siding or deck design in one location to the right of the store.

If a customer can't find what they are looking for, Hays said they can look for other store locations, or lowes.com. Items can be shipped to the store or to their home.

What is amazing, Hays said, is the store has come together so well from an empty building to steel shelving and merchandise from top to bottom.

"Four weeks ago we had this enormous empty building, and in four weeks the associates, with the help of the vendors, have done an outstanding job," he said.

The front of the store carries tools, from hand to power, cleaning chemicals, trash bags and trash cans.

"We will meet any advertised price and beat it by 10 percent off an identical item," he said.

To celebrate the grand opening, beginning Nov. 5 through Nov. 8, five drawings a day will award a $100 gift card. Nov. 9 a drawing will be conducted for the grand prize of a $500 Lowe's gift card. Nov. 6, anyone who purchases a Lowe's gift card, Lowe's will match the amount up to $5,000 to benefit Seneca County Habitat for Humanity.

Also at 10 a.m. Nov. 8, the first Kid's Clinic will allow area children to build a miniature baseball game. The clinic is something that is done every month, Hays said.

"We are very excited to finally be opening," Hays added. "We are looking forward to serving the community of Tiffin."