Friedman’s to add fourth unit in Petaluma

Independent hardware chain Friedman’s Home Improvement has revealed plans to open a new location in Petaluma, a Northern California town where it first opened in 1946 before its flagship store burned to the ground in 1976. According to an article in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, plans call for a 78,000-sq.-ft. main store in Deer Creek Village, where Friedman’s will be the anchor tenant. 

The front of the store is planned to have two 35-ft.-tall "living walls" covered in live greenery that will be fed and watered automatically, changing with the seasons. Two similar 16-ft. walls will bracket the entrance to the 20,000-sq.-ft. garden center.

Lumber sheds will carry a full assortment of building materials. Plans are to open the store in the fourth quarter of 2013, pending city approval.

Home Depot tried to make a go of it in Petulama but closed its small-format Yard-birds stores in 2006. Lowe’s had planned to take the anchor tenant spot that Yardbird’s will occupy, but pulled out during a downsizing move, the newspaper reported.

Friedman's also has outlets in Santa Rosa, Sonoma and Ukiah. The Santa Rosa store, which opened in 1971, is 100,000 sq. ft.