The construction of the Friendship store is now more than half way complete! Activity is ramping up and will accelerate in the coming months. In the past few weeks, the retaining wall on the east and south side of the parking lot was completed, as were roof and siding installation. On the inside, the concrete floor was poured for the second floor, the walls have been framed, and the rough-ins have been wired and plumbed. The underground plumbing, electrical and refrigeration lines were also installed prior to pouring the concrete floor on the main floor.

In the coming weeks, the installation of the underground storm water retention system will be completed (the Franklin store also has an underground storm water retention system, which runs into the rain garden). The cast stone base and the exterior insulation and siding installation has begun and will continue throughout May. The new concrete floor will be ground down to its final finish, HVAC and other system rough-ins will begin, and the second floor walls will be prepared for painting. The windows, which arrived last week, are being installed now through early June.

Looking ahead, the construction schedule shows the completion of the store in late September. Broadly speaking, the exterior of the building will be finished by early summer, and the landscaping and paving will be completed throughout the summer. The interior rough-ins will finish up this spring, mechanicals and finishes will go up in the summer, and the store’s equipment and fixtures will be installed in the two months leading up the opening of the store in October. We have planned two weeks to clean, hang signage, set the shelves, and do all of the other little things that need to be done before we open the doors.