The Collegian

Issue date: 10/25/07 Section: News

Media Credit: John Thompson Construction continues on Peebles department store, scheduled to open Nov. 12.

Hillsdale residents and students will be able to shop locally next month at a department store carrying nationally-recognized brand names in clothing, accessories, cosmetics and shoes.

The new department store, Peebles, will be located on West Carleton Road next to Kroger, and is scheduled to open Nov. 15.

Peebles, previously privately owned and family-run, is now owned by Stage Stores, a retail company that brings brand-name clothing and other items to small and midsize towns. The store will carry brand names like Carter, Unionbay, Adidas, Levi's, Tommy Hilfiger and Dockers.

Faculty and students said they think it will be convenient to have such a store in town.

"It becomes a challenge when a person needs new clothing and the nearest location is to drive to Jackson just to be able to have options," Assistant Director of Forensics and
Debate Jennifer Marmo said. "I think a new store is great, especially after we've lost Big Lots and Glik's. It will be refreshing to have something other than Wal-Mart."

The store will also provide several jobs and help reduce the unemployment rate in the county, which is around 8 percent according to a recent Hillsdale Daily News report.

Stage Stores Recruitment Manager Pamela Fannin said when a Peebles store opens, it typically employs approximately 50 new associates, and after its grand opening retains the top 25 percent of performers.

Fannin said Peebles conducted a job fair at Hillsdale College on Oct. 8. They hired assistant managers, sales associates, a maintenance and receiving associate and a visual merchandiser. Fannin said interest in employment with Peebles met company expectations.

Karri Doty, President and Executive Director of the Hillsdale County Chamber of Commerce, said Peebles has products the Hillsdale community needs, and she looks forward to its opening.

"I think it will be a nice complement to area businesses," Doty said.

James Jonas, Peebles communications director, said the number of Peebles stores has nearly doubled since 2003 when Stage Stores acquired it. They currently have about 700 stores in 33 states, Jonas said. He said the company focuses its efforts on midsized to small markets because "it works for us."

"When we open a store in one of these towns, we typically become the biggest guy in town," Jonas said. "It's usually a pretty good fit for us."

Junior Meg Drew said she previewed merchandise on the Peebles Web site and thought it looked promising.

"I've never heard of Peebles before, but all I can say is the more shopping options there are the better," Drew said. "I'm excited to see new things open in Hillsdale, especially when it comes to fashion."

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