By By Lee Weyhrich
Atmore will have a new home for the do-it-yourselfer on February 16.
Marvin's Home Center will be open for business in the old K-Mart shopping center by Wednesday, Store Manager Jeff Clayton said.
"We're down to the end now and we're just working on the details," Clayton said.
Clayton who has been in home center management for the last five years said there is nothing like this in the Atmore area.
"There are several lumber yards in the area but this may be the only store geared toward the do-it-yourself homeowner," he said. "We're looking forward to servicing the home improvement needs of Atmore."
Clayton moved here from Gastonia, N.C. to start this new store which will employ 30 people from the Atmore area.
Marcella Holsonback, a member of management at the store is one such person.
Holsonback, a resident of Atmore, believes Marvin's will be a great asset to this city.
"I've worked here a little over two months and I'm really excited about this store, it's going to do really well in Atmore."
With the formal title of Team Leader her job is to manage a side of the store.
"I manage one side of the store – several of the employees work with me making sure things are stocked and clean," she said.
Weather has slowed down some of the outside work but inside the store almost appears open for business as shelves have already been filled with merchandise.
According to the Marvin's Web-site the new store will take up 35,000 square feet of the old K-mart building. It will include a store with a lawn and garden center as well as an outdoor lumberyard.
According to the Web-site the first store was opened 60 years ago in Gadsden, Alabama.
"We are very excited to be opening our 23rd store in Atmore." Boyden Moore, President and CEO of Marvin's said in a company release. "The store will offer a complete line of building materials, electrical, plumbing, paint, millwork, hardware, tools, as well as lawn and garden products. We plan to offer Atmore a convenient alternative for their home improvement needs."