The Lowe’s Company opened a new 153,000-square-foot store at the intersection of Chapman Highway and John Sevier Highway October 31st, then held a Grand Opening Celebration November 2nd.
Several politicians and dignitaries were on hand to witness the traditional board cutting and ribbon cutting ceremonies.
Alan Duncan, General Manager of Lowe’s Chapman Highway location, welcomed the dignitaries and those in attendance.
Duncan spoke of the various benefits to shopping at and working for Lowe’s. He also gave his audience an idea of the tremendous growth the company is experiencing, saying they currently maintain 1,250 stores and plan to open more than 155 stores in 2006.
Duncan said Lowe’s services more than 12 million shoppers per week nationwide and employs 185,000 workers.
Duncan pointed out was that Lowe’s has cleaner, wider and brighter aisles than their competitors, a fact of which the company is proud.
He went on to state that Lowe’s has contributed over $37 million dollars in 2005 to local charities.
Duncan announced that his store has chosen Seymour Middle School as their local school, and with that he presented Principal Dr. Faye Nelson a check for $1,000.
Dr. Nelson, following the ceremonies and while cutting the cake, told The Herald that every penny counts and she was very excited about the money, which she says will go to the Read 180 program, a computer program that will aid children who are behind in reading. “We are very excited to have been chosen their school and this money couldn’t have come at a better time,” Dr. Nelson said.
Duncan said he asked his managers to pick a local school that Lowe’s could support through their programs.
Lowe’s, according to it’s website, is the nation’s seventh-largest retailer.
Dignitaries in attendance were Ninth District County Commissioner Larry Clark,
Commissioner Paul Pinkston, Property Developer Paul Graham of Graham Corporation,
First District City Councilman Joe Hultquist and John J. Werner, Senior Director of Finance of the Knox County Mayor’s office

Caption; The Lowe’s traditional cutting of the board to signify the Grand Opening of Lowe’s in S. Knoxville.
(L to R) Howard Qualls, Lowe’s District Manager, Alan Duncan, General Manager of the Chapman Highway Lowe’s, John J. Werner, Senior Director of Finance, Knox County Mayor’s performing the cut, Joe Hultquist, First District Knoxville City Councilman, and Larry Clark Ninth District Knox County Commissioner.

... read the rest of the story by Subscribing now.