LOWE'S PLANNING WINTER OPENING

Lowe's Companies Inc. is looking to a winter opening in Cape Girardeau in Cape West Business Park.

"Our plans are to have a 115,000-square-foot building with an accompanying live nursery and garden center," said Clarissa Felts, a spokesperson for the company.

Felts and Lowe's announced full details this week for the new facility to be located on a site southeast of Cape Girardeau's Wal-Mart Supercenter, west of Interstate 55.

"Our store will be a warehouse design," said Felts. "We offer huge assortments of home improvement products at competitive prices. We also offer comprehensive services both to the `do-it-yourselfer' and the professional builder."

Lowe's Companies, one of the nation's largest home center retailers, operate more than 300 stores in 20 states, located primarily in the south Atlantic and south central regions of the country.

"Our aim is to offer products to help people build, improve, beautify and enjoy their homes," added Felts. The company is a Fortune 500 company and one of the nation's top 50 retailers.

Lowe's started operations in 1946 and has been a publicly held company since 1961. The firm employs more than 20,000 nationally, and was recently selected as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work for in America."

"Our employees own 24 percent of the company's approximately 73 million shares of outstanding common stock, through participation in Lowe's Employee Stock Ownership Plan," said Felts.

"We're proud to become a part of the Cape Girardeau community," she added. "Most of the store's employees there will be local residents, including many of the store's management personnel."

Felts cited the need for sales associates in each of the company's 12 departments.

Departments will include a full lawn and garden/nursery department, building materials/lumber, and completely stocked departments in electrical, plumbing, hardware, tools and paint.

"We also have a large home decor department featuring electronics, appliances, flooring and a full kitchen design department with kitchens on display.

"We have a strong policy of hiring from within, but our rapid expansion program has created opportunities for qualified individuals to enter our firm as part of the management team."

A Lowe's store of this size typically offers in excess of 100 employment opportunities, noted Felts. Lowe's is now accepting resumes which may be sent to Jack Way, Lowe's of Marion, 900 Skyline Drive, Marion, Ill., 62959.

"We're excited about the reception we have received from Cape Girardeau business and civic leaders," said Felts. "We're looking forward to our newest store."