Penhallurick's finds 'True Value' of big move

Space, accessibility increase department

The sign bearing its name is not even up yet, but Penhallurick's True Value has been open in its new location for over a month now.

The hardware store recently moved into its new location in the old Market Place building on Stratford Road, from its previous site of 12 years near Wal-Mart.

True Value manager Mario Padilla said it's a move that's proved to be quite beneficial.

"The Penhallurick family wants to put in the strip mall," he said by way of explanation, referring to the plaza planned by True Value owner Rick Penhallurick, estimated to have its first open building in spring of 2005.

Another reason is because the location is better for True Value business, he said, because it provides easier access and more parking for customers.

"So far, the reaction of all the customers coming in, they like what they see," he said. "They like the way it's laid out. I think our contractors like the way we've got it set up in the yard. Our contractor room portion, they've shown that they really like that."

Padilla added a note of thanks to the community for its patience during the move.

"We're still not done," he noted. "We've got about another aisle or so to put in, but we're hoping to have that done by sometime this month. Middle of this month, we should be all completed."

Following that, Padilla said that the store will begin construction on buildings in the back to keep its products dry, put up signage and do some landscaping up front.

"With our new location, the way we've got it set up inside, I think it's a lot easier to shop," he said. "It's a lot friendlier."

Departments like flooring, plumbing, paint, electrical and hardware will benefit or have already benefited from the new spacing as well, he said.

"I think our whole department lines are just going to be a lot more complete," Padilla said.

The move meant that the business added several more employees, but not too many, he said, estimating the total number to be about 32 people.

"You've got a lot of do-it-yourselfers, you've got the contractors," he said about the need in the community for a store like True Value. "We can service anybody who's doing any project."