THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 19, 1994 TAG: 9410180105
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALLISON T. WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
Service was delivered with more than a smile at the opening of the new Peebles Department Store in Smithfield last week.
Peebles kicked off four days of grand-opening festivities at its Smithfield Plaza Shopping Center location last Thursday. The department store had been in Smithfield's historic downtown since it opened here in 1979. The old store, at 108 Main St., closed Oct. 8.
Store Manager Catherine Thompson welcomed many customers by name at the front entrance of the operation. On their way out, many stopped her with a congratulatory hug and compliments on a job well done.
``I think the community is pretty excited about our opening,'' Thompson said Thursday. ``There was a crowd waiting when we opened the doors this morning.
``The store hasn't had a slow moment all day. It's been a fantastic, wonderful day!''
Peebles had long since outgrown its quaint, white-brick building on the corner of Main and Church streets, Thompson said. Because moving into the new 21,000-square-foot building has doubled the store's size, Peebles now will be able to meet more needs of shoppers in Isle of Wight County, she said.
``The store has had tremendous increases in sales over the last three years. Customers were asking for more merchandise, . . . but space was always limited in the old store.
``Customers seem very pleased and just as excited as I am. I think they are overwhelmed by the selection, . . . and after walking through the store realize they don't have to shop in Hampton.''
The extra space will reflect in the store's inventory, Thompson said. Peebles has expanded its full-figured and petite women's clothing departments; added men's dress, athletic and children's shoe lines; and added a seasonal holiday decorating section to its home department.
Thompson is an Isle of Wight County native. She and her husband, Donald, live in Smithfield and have two children - Rene, 13, and Donald, 3. MEMO: Peebles Department Store is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through
Saturday and 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sundays.
ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Store manager Catherine Thompson said there was a crowd waiting for
the new Peebles to open Thursday morning.
by CNB