MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WV News) — Home improvement store Menards has opened its newest location in Morgantown. The store has a 207,000-square-foot shopping space, as well as an exterior lumber yard.
“It’s big,” said Mark Lange, the new store’s general manager.
Monday was the first day of operation, and Lange said that first impressions have been positive so far.
“Everybody is loving how clean and bright it is, and we’re just getting started,” Lange said. “Come on out, walk around the store and take a look at what we have to offer.”
Menards is located at 351 Brattice Drive in the WestRidge Development in Westover. Hours of operation are 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Sunday.
There are currently 178 employees, of which 151 are local hires.
“That’s where we’ll be at for now,” Lange said. “If the community loves us and keeps us busy, that number could go up.”
Menards is the third-largest home improvement chain in the United States, behind Lowe’s and The Home Depot. The company is headquartered in Wisconsin, and has 350 stores in 15 states, mostly in the Midwest.
“Menards strives to bring the lowest prices every day, and the highest possible level of service to our guests,” Lange said. “We want to give them the best possible shopping experience. We’re here to open up and bring our level of service and quality to people looking to expand upon their home improvement means.”
Lange is hopeful this is the beginning of a long and prosperous relationship between Menards and the Morgantown area.
“It seems like the community is ready to embrace Menards, and we are here to contribute,” Lange said.
John Killeen noted on social media that he was a fan.
“The customer service is nice; prices even better. And they’ve got everything,” Killeen said.
Former Monongalia County Commissioner Ed Hawkins called the announcement of Menards opening “exciting and excellent news.”
Julie Brefczynski-Lewis is a Morgantown resident who enjoys having a piece of her hometown within driving distance.
“I’m from Wisconsin originally and have missed having a Menards,” Brefczynskik-Lewis said.
The Morgantown location is the chain’s third store in West Virginia as the first two opened in the Barboursville Mall near Huntington and in Tridelphia in the Northern Panhandle.
Menards is scheduled to open a store in Bridgeport, West Virginia as well. Site development at the store to be located at Charles Pointe continues, according to recent reports.
Reach Chris Slater at [email protected], 304-887-6681, or follow @chris_slater on Twitter.