RIGGS CONTINUES WITH PLANS TO REBUILD SUPPLY STORE AFTER FIRE

SIKESTON -- It will soon be a new home and a new name for a family-owned business which has been a part of the Sikeston community for about 60 years.

The architectural drawings for Riggs Building Supplies and Home Center, which will be located off Murray Lane, immediately behind the River Birch Mall, are in hand. Owner Dolph Riggs is now eagerly awaiting the completion of the engineering final designs so bids can be sought.

Actual construction should begin on the 70,000-square-foot building this fall, he said.

It has been a long 14 months since fire destroyed the Sikeston Riggs store said Riggs. But he is proud that despite the adversity the store was never closed.

"Our family has been continually in the hardware business since the opening of the Lewis Riggs Hardware in Fredericktown in 1859. The American Civil War, Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, Korean and Vietnam wars and the Great Depression did not close our doors. Nor did the senseless fire that destroyed our North West Street close our doors," said Riggs.

The company has moved to a much smaller building on Davis Street as a temporary location until the new building is completed. Riggs said the staff in Sikeston has worked hard to continue to provide the customers with a large and varied selection. However, this was not always possible, he added.

"The Riggs family and associates would like to thank all our loyal customers for their patience and continued business," said Riggs. "Because some of you have been unable to make your normal purchases at our Sikeston store, our family extends our apologies for these shortcomings."

But there should be no shortcomings when the new store is complete. That is one of the reasons for the change in name from Riggs Wholesale to Riggs Building Supply and Home Center.

"Over the years our merchandise mix has broadened to the extent of what the public expects of most home centers," Riggs said. "Originally we were mostly a hardware store and had some lumber products. Now we cover the full gauntlet -- from lighting to gardening to even limited farm supplies. Our stores cover the wide variety people are accustomed to."

The Sikeston location will offer several improvements. There will be an area set aside for contractor sales. Plans call for a semi-covered customer warehouse loading area as well as an expanded garden center.

Promising to continue their one-on-one customer service, the new store will have express check-out for those customers able to gather their merchandise and want to get on their way.

Several new lines of merchandise are anticipated for store when the building is completed.

Riggs Wholesale has been part of the Sikeston community since the mid 1940s. The company also has stores at Poplar Bluff and Kennett in Missouri; at Dyerburg, Tenn.; and Paragould, Blytheville and West Memphis, Ark.