By RONDA GREGORY
News & Journal Staff Writer
Busy Beaver, a neighborhood home improvement center, celebrated its new Fairmont location with a truly grand Grand Opening event all day Saturday, July 18 at 215 Marion Square. It’s the third Busy Beaver store in West Virginia and the only one in the region.
From its opening ceremony at 11 a.m. to closing at 4 p.m., about two thousand people enjoyed nonstop activities for all ages – gift card give-aways, scavenger hunts, products experts’ advice, first responder vehicles displays, kids’ activities, visiting with puppies and kittens to double bull-riding and much more.
A major benefit to coming early was that the first 150 people in line received a free $25 Busy Beaver gift card.
“We were very pleased with the large attendance for our Grand Opening,” exclaimed General Manager Matt Hill. “The response from the City of Fairmont has been phenomenal.”
The opening ceremony was an official Board Cutting. With some sawdust flying, it was quite a bit different than the typical ribbon-cutting. What better way to say “construction” than sawing a pine board in half?
“We wanted something to reflect more of who we are and what we do,” Hill explained. Local dignitaries were on hand for the ceremony, such as Fairmont Mayor Ron Straight.
Busy Beaver hosted several nonprofits and community groups at the Grand Opening. Marion County Humane Society brought pets for adoption. And, as the company partners with Make-A-Wish, people could make a donation to the foundation to win a new Charbroil grill or they could donate $1 for a chance to win a custom-made wishing well to decorate their yard.
Hill said in addition to their partner Make-A-Wish, Busy Beaver supports other charitable organizations, such as the Marion County Humane Society, the Girl Scouts, 4-H groups and local high school clubs.
“Busy Beaver is dedicated to being part of the community,” Hill stated. “We describe ourselves as ‘your neighborhood improvement center’, and we strive to be just that – part of the neighborhood.”
Hill said though it was a busy, busy day for the new Busy Beaver store opening, he did enjoy seeing the children have such a good time – in the bouncy house, getting balloons and seeing the fire truck. But he said he most enjoyed seeing them have fun with the mechanical double bull-riding. “It’s unique. They could compete against their friends.”
Hill added that they were pleased people came out to have a good time, to support some worthy causes and to check out the new store’s broad range of superior products that you won’t find in other stores.
“We have a product selection that appeals to do-it-yourselfers and contractors,” he stated. “We pride ourselves on our customer service, and I’d like to invite people to come in and experience it firsthand.”
The store carries paint, hardware, lawn and garden supplies, bath and plumbing needs, building materials and more for both do-it-yourselfers or contractors.
The new Fairmont Busy Beaver brings 16 new jobs to the area and plans to increase to 20 to 25 employees, Hill reported.
For more information, call (681) 404-3263, or visit www.busybeaver.com/gofairmont.
