Home Depot opens in Howell

HOWELL — Home Depot is open for business at its new location on Route 9 south at West Farms Road.

The national chain, which is billed as the world’s largest home improvement center, opened its doors on June 29.

Home Depot was founded in 1978 and now operates nationwide, with expansion coming into South America, according to the Marino Organization, Home Depot’s public relations representative.

A special celebration held June 28 at the new 116,500-square-foot store was attended by Monmouth County Freeholder Ted Narozanick, Mayor Timothy J. Konopka and other township officials and department heads. The event featured a "board-cutting ceremony" — Home Depot’s version of a ribbon cutting.

Konopka, who has championed an effort to bring commercial ratables to town, called Home Depot’s grand opening, "truly a monumental occasion for Howell."

"It’s the beginning of the renaissance of Howell’s Route 9 corridor," he said, adding that "business is the lifeblood of the community" and noting that Home Depot will employ 100 or more area residents and provide an important service and products to the community.

Also, a goodwill gesture from the store to the community came in the form of a $5,000 check to Howell for the Echo Lake Restoration Committee.

"Home Depot is already proving it is a caring, concerned member of the community," said the mayor.

— Kathy Baratta