Country Homes Power Equipment, a longtime Spokane retailer, has leased a building in the Spokane Valley for a second location, says Garth Selden, the businesss vice president.


The 5,800-square-foot building the new store will occupy is located at 5323 E. Sprague, across the street from the big Lowes Cos. Inc. hardware and garden store. Country Homes Power Equipment took over the building Dec. 1 and is doing some minor remodeling of the inside, Selden says. He says that the building, which formerly housed Western Tool Supply, also will get an exterior face lift.


Selden expects the store to open by mid-January, which is generally a slow time for sales for the company, which should allow it to get computers online and employees trained before the busy spring season. The stores grand opening is planned for March, he says.


The new location, which also is near Costco Wholesale Corp. and Home Depot Inc. outlets, will make it easy for customers to include Country Homes Power Equipment in their comparison shopping, Selden says.


The companys current store, at 8108 N. Division, will remain open, Selden says. The company decided to open a second store to tap what it believes is a large market in the Spokane Valley for its exclusive lines of outdoor power equipment. The Valley store will offer sales and parts, but service work will be done in a different location.


Country Homes Power Equipment sells and services lawn mowers, snow blowers, chain saws, and generators. It is a dealer of the MTD, Toro, Troy-Bilt, and Snapper brands. The store split off from Country Homes Supply, owned by Seldens brother, Niles Selden, in 1989. Their father, Everett Selden, started Country Homes Supply nearly 55 years ago.


Realtors Mark Lucas and Tracy Lucas of Kiemle & Hagood Co., of Spokane, represented both parties in the lease transaction. Western Tool Supply moved out of the building in October.