Duane Hicks
The past few months have been especially busy for Darren Lowes.
First, Lowes Furniture & Appliances moved to its new location at the former Pinewood Sports and opened its doors in May.
Then, Lowes Pro Lumber & Building opened for business just last month on the same property on Highway 11/71 in Alberton Township.
This was followed by a grand-opening celebration on June 24-25 and finally a ribbon-cutting (or more precisely, a “board-cutting” with an electric saw) there Monday to commemorate the occasion with staff and Rainy River First Nations’ reps Chief Jim Leonard and manager of administration Dean Wilson.
Rainy River First Nations, which owns the property, is leasing it to Lowes.
Lowes said Rainy River First Nations made the move “manageable” while Chief Leonard noted the agreement is positive for both parties.
“It’s brings us in a little revenue,” Chief Leonard remarked. “It’s a good fit, a win-win situation.”
Wilson said Rainy River First Nations purchased the property with monies from a land claim settlement.
“I could see more of these things happening,” he said, adding these investments are for the economic benefit of the community and district municipalities don’t “have to be scared if we buy land.
“I know the Township of Alberton is happy.”
Lowes, meanwhile, said both businesses have received a “wonderful reception” so far from the public, and that the new location is working out well.
He noted Lowes Furniture & Appliances moved from the former Northern Do-it Center location because the “business grew to a level where we needed to make a move,” adding he now is able to carry more lines than ever.
On the lumber side of things, the Lowes family has run a lumber business in Sleeman for 80 years. It’s currently known as Lowes Home Pro Center.
But Lowes said he felt this end of the district was “underserviced” and “decided to give it a shot.”
He stressed that Lowes Pro Lumber & Building is a “full-fledged building centre,” with everything from lumber to fixtures.
“If we don’t have it here, we’ll have it at the other building centre [in Sleeman],” Lowes pledged.
