Lumber Liquidators Expands

James City, VA, Jun. 14--According to the Virginia Gazette, Lumber Liquidators, the growing hardwood flooring company now based near Richmond, will expand its manufacturing and distribution operation into Stonehouse Commerce Park. The Gazette reported last month that the company was looking at the Deere site. In a brief phone interview late Friday afternoon, company president Tom Sullivan confirmed that the deal was closed earlier in the day. “We will start moving stuff in right away and hopefully be operational by the end of the year,” Sullivan said. As a bonus, the company will also relocate its headquarters here from Colonial Heights. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Deere site, which covers 74 acres, is assessed at nearly $18 million. Lumber Liquidators will bring 300 new jobs to the county, though Sullivan did not say exactly what types of jobs or what the pay range would be. He did say managerial positions would be available. Lumber Liquidators was founded in 1995 and has more than 40 stores throughout the United States. Industry reports reveal that between 1998 and 2001, the company's revenues quadrupled from $9.5 million to $35.8 million. Like the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in GreenMount, Lumber Liquidators plays a role community service. According to its website, Lumber Liquidators has donated goods to Habitat for Humanity and the Captain Planet Foundation.