LAVALE — Maryland’s first Rural King location reflects the values of the community it serves, the company’s CEO said during the store’s grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday.
And the store, which opened Nov. 3 at the Country Club Mall, has already garnered a generous amount of community support.
”We’ve had one of the best soft openings of all time,” said Marty Medovic, the store manager, adding Rural King has opened 10 locations this year. “The numbers have been out of this world. We’ve been welcomed with open arms in the community, and it’s just been steady.”
Medovic said the store created over 70 job opportunities for local residents. Rural King occupies more than 4 acres of space where JC Penney one was located.
“Cumberland is the perfect location for Rural King’s first store in Maryland,” said Steve Barbarick, Rural King CEO. “This hardworking community reflects the very values Rural King was built on — family, service and integrity. We’re proud to create local jobs, support families and provide the dependable products and hometown service our customers deserve, while also bringing new conveniences to enhance the shopping experience.”
The store offers a large range of products, including supplies for livestock, pets and birds, automotive needs, power equipment, power tools, grilling, food, snacks and cleaning products.
The 69,000-square-foot store has already seen a significant turnout from the community and officials anticipate even more as the weekend progresses.
“We’re giving back to the community, we’re adding jobs. The economic development that we’re adding here has been — it’s going to be fantastic,” Medovic said. “I mean, come noon today between us and T.J. Maxx reopening, this parking lot’s going to be all filled in here again.”
T.J. Maxx reopened last month after air-conditioning issues at the mall led to its temporary closure.
In a release, Rural King said it is committed to supporting local initiatives and organizations, including youth organizations like 4-H and FFA, veterans and first responders.
Medovic said the opportunity to manage the store came at a perfect time. He and his family have lived in Wheeling, West Virginia, for over 40 years, but his wife is originally from Cumberland.
“It was a great opportunity because my wife is from this area, and it was a chance for us to get back home, so that was part of it,” he said. “I came to this company 16 months ago, and it’s been a wild ride ever since. It’s an amazing company to work for — the values and the people promise they make. It’s just been great.”
Grand opening festivities will continue throughout the weekend.
Store hours are 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily.
Rewards loyalty members will earn double points on qualifying purchases and can enter to win one of 100 $25 gift cards throughout the weekend.