People clapped loudly as deputy mayor Sheena Hughes sawed through a banner celebrating the grand opening of Lowe’s Canada in St. Albert on Feb. 1.
“We actually wanted them here. Not just any home hardware or any home improvement store, but we wanted Lowe’s here,” she announced from a podium. “St. Albert needed Lowe’s here, this was a void that we had and they filled it.”
She said Lowe’s was part of the commercial corridor in Erin Ridge, which would serve as a “gateway to the north”.
The home improvement store is 107,900 square feet and is smaller than the three other locations in Edmonton.
Ron Tremel, market director of Lowe’s, said the location had just as much product as its other stores, the only difference is the amount of energy used in the building.
“It’s more fashion-forward and energy-efficient,” he said.
Those who are frequent shoppers at other Lowe’s locations will notice a few changes in the new building. The flooring section, for example, now has its floor samples higher on the wall with the product right below it.
The aisles are also smaller in width than other stores, with most of the product being stored on higher shelves. The new building also uses LED lighting, high-efficiency plumbing fixtures and high-energy efficiency heating and cooling systems controlled by an automation system.
Yvonne Krezanoski, resident of St. Albert who attended the grand opening, said she was excited to see Lowe’s open.
“It’s wonderful. The more Lowe’s the better,” she said.
She said she was looking for a specific tap to go in the bathrooms at home and she found it at the new Lowe’s.
Other shoppers voiced concerns over the new business. They said Lowe’s could cause other similar businesses in St. Albert to suffer.
“I’m wondering when RONA is going to close, because they own RONA,” Jack Riley said.
His wife, Barb Riley, said she was happy that she wouldn’t have to travel into Edmonton to get what she needs for her home.
Stan Nadro shared similar sentiments. He said the new location increases competition in St. Albert, but he worries that not all businesses will survive.
“It’s going to be tough business. You can only have so many within a certain area. Somebody is going to suffer.”
