Roses takes root in Three Star Mall-Customers eager to check out new store

Leann Cordell strolls down one of the furniture aisles at Roses during its first day of business yesterday. She is accompanied by daughters Laura, in the cart, and Emma Cordell.

They flooded into the mall’s newest anchor as soon as the doors opened, eager to check out the merchandise and make purchases.

‘I’m glad we don’t have to drive to Murfreesboro anymore to shop at Roses,’ said Shenna Hillis, whose two children didn’t waste any time finding the toys.

Added Leann Cordell, ‘This adds a little more variety for shopping in McMinnville. I know everybody was disappointed when Roses closed before.’

The new Roses has 40 employees and is occupying 55,556 square feet. It gives McMinnville another large-scale general retailer with a wide variety of merchandise.

Dick Ross spent time looking a framed pictures. Nancy Higgenbotham found a good deal on an eight-pack of paper towels. Bobby Redmon bought three DVDs starring Roy Rogers.

‘They have some good buys and I like how the store is laid out,’ said Redmon. ‘I think it’s going to pump new life into the mall.’

Roses announced on Valentine’s Day it was coming to Three Star Mall and employees have been working feverishly ever since to get the store ready. The store was largely stocked about two weeks ago, but it took some time to make sure all the little details were squared away.

‘I’ve been itching to open for about 10 days,’ said Roses manager Chad Jones.

Added district manager Roger Combs, ‘People have been telling us they’re anxious for us to open back up. They say that they’ve missed us.’

Roses returns to McMinnville after a 14-year absence. Roses operated a store from 1973-94 in the spot that’s currently occupied by Big Lots.

Three Star Mall has been in need of a general retail anchor since Kmart closed in June 2002. U.S. Factory Outlets opened in that same spot in August 2003, but was largely a disappointment before closing in January 2006.

Roses offers a full line of merchandise including clothing, shoes, electronics, household supplies and furnishings, health and beauty aids, lawn and garden items, and toys.

North Carolina-based Variety Wholesalers is the parent company of Roses and it operates stores in 14 states in the southeastern United States. In addition to Roses, Variety Wholesalers operates stores under the Maxway, Bargain Town, Value Mart, Super Saver, Super 10, Bill’s Dollar Store, and Super Dollar names.

The Roses division has 98 stores, including a store in Murfreesboro, two stores in Memphis, and a distribution center in Memphis.

When Roses was in McMinnville previously, it was not under the ownership of Variety Wholesalers, which bought the company in 1997.

Roses is the largest store at Three Star Mall. Other anchors include JCPenney, Kroger and Goody’s.

Brief history’ 1981 ‘ Three Star Mall opens with Kmart as an anchor

‘ June 2002 ‘ Kmart closes its McMinnville store

‘ August 2003 ‘ U.S. Factory Outlets opens

‘ January 2006 ‘ U.S. Factory Outlets closes

‘ Feb. 14, 2008 ‘ Mall announces Roses will open as soon as April

‘ April 17, 2008 ‘ Roses opens