Windsor Plywood, a Canadian home-improvement and building-supply retailer, has bought a 1.5 acre parcel on Spokanes North Side, where it plans to build its second store here.


Curt Crego, operations manager for the Surrey, British Columbia-based chain, says Windsor is applying to the city of Spokane for a permit to build a store on property it bought recently at 1621 E. Lyons, about midway between Nevada and Crestline. Crego says he doesnt anticipate any problems that would keep building permits from being issued in January.


From our perspective, we would start building as soon as we can, he says.


Spokanes first Windsor Plywood store opened at 4011 E. Ferry, near the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, in 1993, Crego says.


Spokane is a good market, and its large enough to support another Windsor store, he says. We can be more efficient when we have more than one location in the market.


No site plans are drawn up for the new property, but Windsor stores typically have 12,000 square feet of floor space and employ about 15 people, Crego says. He says Windsor will work with Haskins Co., of Spokane, to design and build the store.


Windsor Plywood has about 60 stores across western Canada, Washington, and Montana.


Some stores are franchised operations, while some are owned by the chain, Crego says. The ownership arrangement for the new Spokane store is yet to be determined.


The retail chain specializes in selling plywood, hardwood lumber, hardwood flooring, doors, moldings, and woodworker supplies.


The real estate transaction on East Lyons was handled through Kiemle & Hagood Co., of Spokane, and the American Real Estate Association, Kiemle & Hagood says.