Power equipment retailer adds branch
Longtime area retailer Country Homes Power Equipment has opened a second Spokane Valley store.
The April 1 opening of the 3,936-square-foot retail site along East Sprague Avenue in Veradale is the company’s third store in the Spokane area. Its flagship store is in north Spokane. The other Valley store is also along East Sprague Avenue near Fancher Road and its big-box competitors.
The new locale gives the company presence in the growing area of the Valley to display its various power tools as well as fireplaces, mowers and hot tubs.
“This area definitely needed this kind of store,” said Garth Selden, president of the family business.
“(The response) has been great,” he added. “A lot of people have just kind of peeked in … and say, ‘We’re really glad you’re here.’”
The new store, which employs six people, is sandwiched between Green Thumb Nursery and URM Cash & Carry.
This summer the company plans to feature a new line of outdoor living merchantdise that includes stone fireplaces, island grills, pergolas and patio seating. The Veradale store allows for a prominent display of these items, Selden said. And the products mark a trend in the company’s growth and evolution.
What began in 1947 by Selden’s grandfather, Everett Selden, as Country Homes Supply has steadily grown from a building materials supplier into two separate companies in 1989.
Country Homes Building Supply in Spokane is one aspect of the original company owned by Everett Selden’s son Niles. The other, Country Homes Power Equipment, is owned by Everett Selden’s other son John, who is Garth Seldon’s father.
The two businesses remained at the original location along North Division at the Y until the site was purchased for the Home Depot in 1997. The two businesses relocated, and, later in 2001, Country Homes Power Equipment opened its second store. Also at that time, fireplaces and wood stoves were added to its product list, and in 2002 the company began selling hot tubs.
John Selden continues to be active in the business as a vendor contact and marketing representative.
Garth Selden says although big box retailers pose serious competition, his company remains successful by specializing in top-quality brands, factory trained employees, local servicing of its products, competitive pricing, and individual attention that includes encouraging customers to test drive the mowers and jump in the water-filled hot tubs.
“We serve a special buying community,” Selden said, noting the new store location’s is ideal for serving those living in farming communities of Otis Orchard and throughout the Valley and those of the area’s growing home developments. “Every one of these people is our customer base.”