Lowe’s opens in Marquette Township

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MARQUETTE - When a do-it-yourself home improvement retail store like Lowe's opens, a ribbon just isn't going to cut it.

That's why Lowe's officials and local community members held a "board-cutting" ceremony this morning to celebrate the store's opening.

The store, on U.S. 41 off Brickyard Road, is 117,000 square feet with an additional 31,600 square foot garden center. It employs about 130 people.

Marquette Mayor John Kivela and Marquette Township Supervisor Ray Adamini were on hand to help open the store.

"I am excited about it. It's a wonderful addition to the shopping area being developed in the Marquette area," Adamini said.

Adamini said he was pleased more than 100 new jobs were created - most of them going to people in the Marquette area.

Kivela also welcomed the new building supply/home improvement store to the area.

"It's great for the whole community," Kivela said. "I guess it just goes to show that our economy is still hanging on up here. It bodes well for the Marquette area."

According to Lowe's spokeswoman Maureen Rich, Lowe's employees had an employees night opening on Thursday. Even though the store doesn't officially open to the public until Saturday, Rich said people will be able to shop today.

Rich said one of the traditions of a Lowe's store opening is that the local Lowe's team will give a $1,000 grant to a local charity of its choosing.

She said the charity has not yet been chosen.