Progress

August 3, 2008

Tractor Supply Company opens its first Luzerne County store

SHERRY LONG slong@timesleader.com

HANOVER TWP. – Ranchers and farmers will no longer have to drive to Columbia County to shop for tools, hardware or supplies for their livestock and pets.

Tractor Supply Company opened its first Luzerne County store Saturday morning in Hanover Township. It’s the 70-year-old company’s 47th Pennsylvania store.

Housed in the former Gerrity’s store on the San Souci Parkway, the 22,000-square-foot store employs 13 full- and part-time employees. Store manager Tom Stephenson will probably add two more full-time employees in the coming weeks. Gerrity’s moved into its present and larger location two blocks away two years ago.

Stephenson, who is from Luzerne County, sees this as an opportunity for residents living in the South Valley area.

Tractor Supply customers will have the chance to win a 42-inch riding lawnmower, gift cards and a push mower, which will be given away as door prizes during the store’s grand opening celebration, scheduled for Labor Day weekend.

The company also offers materials for non-agricultural based customers looking to buy anything from western clothing, lawnmower batteries, air compressors or welding supplies.

Hanover Township Commissioner Bob Burns was one of the local officials who toured the facility during its invitation preview showing Friday evening from 5-8 p.m.

He sees the Tractor Supply store as a sign that the township is growing as an ideal community for businesses.

While he realizes the township will receive earned income tax from store employees living in the township, the local services tax of $52 and mercantile tax from the store’s sales, Burns is more excited that a former vacant building space has been filled.

“It’s a good thing when any business opens in the township. “To me that says that businesses are looking to come into Hanover Township because it’s a good place to do business,” Burns said.

Tractor Supply Company owns 791 stores in 43 states.

If you go…

Tractor Supply Co. 2456 Sans Souci Parkway, Hanover Township

570-735-5080

Accepts all major credit cards and checks

Offers 60-day layaway with 25 percent deposit

Store hours: 8 a.m.- 8 p.m. Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday

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