The Home Depot Opening 17 Stores including Blairsville

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Posted 9:20AM on Thursday, February 7, 2002

ATLANTA - The Home Depot will open 17 stores on Thursday, February 7 - the largest one-day store roll out in the company's 23-year history. Home Depot is adding 17 new stores in 12 states, 14 cities and adding over 3,000 new associates to the payroll. The 100th Home Depot for the state of Florida opens in Orlando, while Indianapolis is jump starting its Home Depot population by opening four stores on the same day. "It's interesting to note that the 200 stores we will open this year is more stores than the company opened in its first 13 years," said Mike Folio, senior vice president of Real Estate. The 17 new stores brings the total to 1,350 stores in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, including 41 EXPO Design Centers stores. Home Depot is forging new ground by opening stores in four new markets: Indianapolis leads the way with four stores, and new one-store markets in Blairsville, Ga.; Lewiston, Idaho; and Fergus Falls, Minn. The company is also adding stores in Parkville, Md.; Orlando, Fla.; Granbury, Boerne, and Katy, Texas; Avon, Ohio; Coldwater and Ludington, Mich.; Paramount, Calif.; and Pittsburgh, Penn. in Ross Township. "People continue to maintain and improve their homes and Home Depot is committed to provide the products and knowledgeable customer service," said Folio. The Home Depot reported net sales for fiscal 2000 of $45.7 billion and currently employs approximately 250,000 associates. Home Depot caters to do-it-yourselfers, as well as home improvement, construction and building maintenance professionals. Founded in 1978, the company is credited as being the innovator of the home improvement industry, as well as offering an unprecedented level of service among warehouse-style retailers.