Hardware store celebrates opening of third shop

The California-based retail chain Orchard Supply Hardware is making good on its pledge to open four Broward County stores by the end of 2016.

On Tuesday, the chain opened its third South Florida store, in Westgate Square Shopping Center at 15900 W. State Road 84 in Sunrise. Located near Sunrise’s border with Weston, the new store occupies the former site of a Winn-Dixie supermarket.

A “community housewarming event” will commemorate the opening on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to a news release. Shoppers are invited to tour the store and meet its staff; craft snow globes; enjoy free ice cream and shaved ice treats; and enter for the chance to win a mystery gift card. Also, guests can take a photo with the chain’s custom 1954 Chevy pickup truck.

Founded as a cooperative by Depression-era farmers in San Jose, Calif., in 1931, Orchard Supply grew into a regional chain known for its rustic, small-town ambiance and decor. But it fell upon hard times and, in 2013, was purchased out of bankruptcy by hardware superstore chain Lowe’s. This year, the chain announced plans to open its first stores outside of California and Oregon.

The company opened its first area location in October at 2871 N. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale, just south of Oakland Park Boulevard, then on Nov. 15 opened its second Broward store at 340 S. Federal Highway, south of East Hillsboro Boulevard, in Deerfield Beach.

A fourth Broward store is scheduled to open Dec. 20 at 2322 N. University Drive in Coral Springs, an Orchard Supply spokesman said Wednesday.