Murdoch's opens doors today in Scottsbluff
Star-Herald
By Roger Holsinger - Assistant Editor
SCOTTSBLUFF, NE, April 2005 - The final preparations were made Tuesday for the "soft opening" today of Murdoch's Ranch & Home Supply store. The store is located in the former Sun Mart site at 1510 E. 20th St. in Scottsbluff.
Store Manager Kenny Fixmer said 32 local residents were hired from the more than 350 interviews conducted.
Fixmer, a native of Montana, most recently managed a store in Salida, Colorado. The assistant store manager, Joe Teini, is also a transplant from Montana. Managing the clothing department is Misty Stauffer, whose husband is from Harrisburg.
Fixmer said they were very impressed with the applicants and the overall hospitality shown by residents of the valley. He said this new store would continue the Murdoch's tradition of offering good products, great prices and the best service available.
The store features a totally remodeled interior with a working fireplace in the clothing department, which takes up a third of the store's floor space. More than 4,000 pairs of jeans and 2,000 piece of footwear are available including Wrangler, Columbia, Lucky and Carhartt.
Fixmer said Murdoch's is consistently in the top 10 for sales of the Carhartt brand.
Welding supplies and tools are another staple of the company and Fixmer said the store has two "house" displays including a Hobart Welding display and DeWalt power tool center that Fixmer said he often refers to as the "lost husband department."
He said the company builds the stores so that there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
Fixmer said the clothes are not oriented just to those in the farm and ranch industry.
"We have the types of clothes that most people want to wear and we have enough for everyone," said Fixmer.
"We keep the shelves stocked with merchandise that's easy to find and I think that people will be happy with our products, service and prices.
"That's a desire for us - to be the best," he said.
The store also offers a full line of pet products including Iams and Science Diet; an ample supple of horse tack, Cargill feed line and vaccinations that can be administered by someone other than a veterinarian.
The company also has Hutchinson Western and Priefert steel fencing and panels.
A grand opening week is planned for April 18-22 and a ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for April 22 followed by a special event from 4 to 6 p.m.
