Sutherlands opens doors in Nevada

By Brian Johnson

and Nick Wright

Nevada Herald

Finally, the wait is over.

At 7 a.m. on Saturday, Sutherlands opened its doors to the people of Nevada.

"This should keep the people in Nevada," store manager Chic Wallace said. "Now that we're here, why should they go to Kansas City, Joplin or Springfield?"

Hundreds of shoppers filled the home improvement retail store to buy items ranging from lumber, plumbing equipment to plants.

One couple that was there was Argie and Bill Hickman, who build replica-covered wagons. When they needed to buy in quantity, they had to drive to Joplin. Now, they said, they don't have to.

Customer Marcy Harp was there pricing doors for a home she's remodeling. She also had to drive to the Sutherlands in Joplin.

Sutherlands has been a leader in the building materials and home improvement business since 1917. The Nevada store is the 14th Sutherlands in Missouri, joining Aurora, Cameron, Independence, Joplin, Kansas City, Lebanon, Lebanon Design Center, Liberty, Martin City, Maryville, North Kansas City Ozark, Sedalia and Springfield.

Store employee Lance Goodan said, "This place will offer the people a big selection instead of going out of town."

Goodan said that he was extremely busy helping customers in the first 30 minutes.

"Just in the plumbing department alone I must have helped out 10 or more," Goodan said.

After the store opened, Wallace smiled, shook peoples hands and thanked customers for coming. Wallace hired 51 employees, but he hopes to hire 10 more.

Wallace said he didn't know how many people to expect in the store's first weekend.

"I don't know for sure," Wallace said. "I do hope around 1,000. The cash registers will be the only ones that knows for sure."