Marvin’s relocates two stores in Alabama

Marvin’s, a 25-store hardware and LBM chain with stores in Alabama, Mississippi and Florida, relocated two stores in December, converting them to the company’s new format.

The first store was moved within Albertville, Ala., to a new location about three miles away from the existing one. A second store in Pelham, Ala., was moved 13 miles south to Calera, Ala.

“What this allowed us to do is to execute our new store format while moving to better real estate,” said Craig Cowart, senior vp-merchandising and marketing for Marvin’s. “Both stores had poor visibility from the main traffic flow, so now we will be able to put our best foot forward in those locations.”

Since opening its Talladega, Ala., store in 2003, Marvin’s has opened14 stores to its new format -- which focuses on brighter stores with minimal signage and an emphasis on customer service and an easy shopping experience. Most stores are in the 35,000-square-foot range and include drive-through lumberyards.

Marvin’s, whose key partners include Memphis, Tenn.-based Orgill, will most likely announce plans to open two new stores in the first quarter of 2009 and possibly relocate another.