First store opens at Stonebridge in Flowery Branch

FLOWERY BRANCH - The first store is now open in the largest shopping center built in Hall County since Lakeshore Mall went up: Stonebridge Village in Flowery Branch.

Stonebridge is still under construction but Kohl's, one of the anchor stores, opened bright and early Wednesday at 7:00 with a ribbon cutting and cheers from employees and shoppers.

Gerry Brown of Flowery Branch showed up right after the ribbon cutting and was the new store's first customer.

"We live off Elizabeth Lane and and there's nothing there, you have to go all the way to Gainesville but now we have a Kohl's!," she exclaimed.

Kohl's division manager Jeff Underwood said South Hall's rapid growth drew his store to Flwoery Branch.

"This is going to be a great area for us, especially when we get a few more retailers in here," Underwood said. "This is going to be a real 'destination' shopping area."

Target, Home Depot, and OfficeMax are among other big box retailers opening soon in the $45 million, 55-acre complex on Spout Springs Road.