Peaks & Plains Medical Inc., of Spokane, plans to move one of its retail locations for medical supplies here to the South Hill from the North Side because too few customers have become aware of its longtime location there, and sales there have continued to be disappointing, says President and Owner Leigh McNellis.

Peaks & Plains has been leasing 3,000 square feet at 98 E. Francis, where it has had its North Side office for the last four years, but will be moving at the end of this month to 3022 E. 57th, where the company will open March 1 in 1,100 square feet of leased space, McNellis says.

"The term of our lease is up, and we've been disappointed with sales in that location" at East Francis, she says.

McNellis anticipates the 57th Avenue location will be more visible as it's near an Albertsons supermarket, at 3010 E. 57th, and also will be near a number of assisted-living facilities on the South Hill. A FirstCare Urgent Care center is nearby, along with physical therapy, dental, and eye-care offices, she says. Being located near those types of operations should contribute to customer awareness and sales, she says.

"We feel there are lots of opportunities for people to come to that location," she says.

Peaks & Plains, which employs 17 people, sells medical supplies, such as scooters, lift chairs, bathroom safety aids, canes and crutches, diabetic supplies, incontinence supplies, beds and accessories. Its core business is providing senior-citizen customers with the equipment and supplies needed to remain independent and living safely in their own homes, she says.

Peaks & Plains also has a Spokane Valley retail store at 13524 E. Sprague, which it opened in 2003 as its first retail outlet here, and that store has been performing well, she says.

The company's main office, which is not a retail outlet, is located at 6326 E. Trent, where its shipping and billing operations are housed; it also includes a 10,000-square-foot warehouse, McNellis says.