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| Yardbirds Property Plan Presentation |
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On July 25th the Alamo Improvement Association (AIA) hosted a presentation by Tim Seymour, Manager of New Concepts Development for Home Depot, Rod Wieldraayer, Operations/Purchasing and Caroll Hudson, Director of Purchasing for Yardbirds, and Phillip Reed, Entitlement Manager of Tait and Associates. Mr. Seymour, as primary presenter, reviewed the history of Home Depot’s purchase of Yardbirds and outlined the plans that are currently being considered.
 Home Depot purchased Yardbirds in November 2005 with the expressed interest of learning how to incorporate Yardbirds’ customer service into the Home Depot system and to develop the new concept for Home Depot of having “more neighborhood-based” hardware stores. Five existing, small Yardbirds stores will be developed as prototypes for the development of similar retail units. Home Depot is determining if the model works, if small stores can be profitable, and if such a store can be service oriented. The Alamo store has a targeted opening of early 2007. It is to be named Home Depot Yardbirds.
The footprint of the facility will not be changed except for upgrading signage, painting, and bringing order to the storage area along the Iron Horse Trail. Mr. Seymour explained there are plans to make a multimillion-dollar investment in upgrading and remodeling the interior of the facility. New displays, fixtures, gondolas, floors, ceilings, paint, and updated technology are planned. The store will be made ADA compliant. New public bathrooms will be created. The garden center will be refreshed but will otherwise remain the same. No new exterior construction is planned.
A diagram illustrating the reconfiguration of the interior of the store was presented. Some elements have been eliminated. Lumber, except for a very limited supply, will no longer be offered. An appliance section will be established. The current line of cabinetry offered will be expanded. Installation services will be available. The lines of electrical supplies will be limited to products needed for the interior of homes. Other items may be eliminated, changed, or increased.
A period of questions and comments followed. |
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| QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES |
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Yardbirds followed a process of noise abatement. Will Home Depot have deliveries to the rear of the store?
Deliveries did not occur before 9:00 A. M. Deliveries to the store that occur before 9:00 A. M. will be to the front entrance.
Given a fixed number of parking places, how will the anticipated increased traffic be managed?
The anticipation is that more efficient customer processing will allow for more customers being accommodated.
Parking is lost to stacking of merchandise in parking spaces. How will this be addressed?
Improved shipping of merchandise to the store should make stacking unnecessary. A controlled delivery system and a regional distribution center will be in place.
Will metric bolts be available?
Probably not. A lesser amount of space will be devoted to those products.
A customer-oriented hardware store carrying basic items is desired. What else will be removed?
Some existing lines will be reduced or re-assorted. Others (e.g., cabinet hardware) will be expanded. Some decisions about product lines have been determined; others are still to be made.
What market do you envision?
Primary market is seen as family oriented and as the corner hardware store. Some “infill service” for contractors is also anticipated.
What’s happening to the building?
There will be no exterior changes with the possible exception of relocating the entrance to the middle of the front.
How will in-store traffic be affected?
The store is to be made ADA compliant. Improved checkout services should help. Basic flow down the main aisle which connects the three buildings will be the same.
Have you considered installing a stoplight at Las Trampas and Danville Blvd?
Preston Taylor, AIA President, responded that a stoplight is outside the scope of the plan for the site.
Are you looking to increase the geographical area served by the Alamo store?
The focus is to provide service to Alamo with a modest expansion of area. What will happen is unknown.
Yardbirds cared about being a “good neighbor.” They loaned equipment for community events. Will the loan program be continued?
Continuation of the program is desired.
How long is the lease?
Although unsure, at least five years.
Has Home Depot had similar experience in other areas?
The Home Depot operates a similar chain in New Jersey. Four stores are doing fairly well.
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Yardbirds would transfer requested, out-of-stock items on a next day basis. Will this be continued?
Transfers will be made from nearby stores and from the distribution center. An expanded inventory of items will be available as Home Depot has a larger number of suppliers.
Will the same quality of plants be available?
We believe they will be high quality plants. We have not yet decided which grower will be the primary supplier.
Will the paint scheme be reviewed by AIA?
This is included in the county application and will follow the process they require.
How will signage be changed?
Signs will be in the same place and same size as existing signs. They will say “The Home Depot” (square logo) “Yardbirds” (in larger letters).
Will pesticides that negatively effect the environment be stocked? Will efforts be made to have environmentally friendly pesticides?
Not familiar with specifics of product lines but will note comments and give as input.
Will the rear of the store be improved?
The shed will be replaced and the area enhanced.
Will former employees be returned to Alamo?
All Alamo employees were asked to specify where they would like to move. 95% were placed in their first choice. Former Alamo employees will be offered the option of returning to Alamo. They will move if they so choose.
Were salaries of Alamo employees reduced?
All were increased.
What will be the hours of operation?
6:00 A. M. to 9:00 P. M. Monday through Friday. The store will be open on Saturdays and Sundays but not sure of the hours. |
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| COMMENTS |
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The services and products present in Yardbirds should be continued. (Repeated several times)
Lumber should be stocked. (Repeated several times). Appliances are not needed nor are more cabinets. People in Alamo will go to larger venues and more specific suppliers when doing kitchen remodels. (Repeated several times)
Centralize the sprinkler system supplies and the nursery.
In an area of 50-year-old homes Yardbirds stocked replacement materials for aged equipment. Continue to do so.
The community is grateful that a hardware store will continue to exist in Alamo.
We understand that the product lines will be adjusted, as the specific desires of the community or communicated.
Preston Taylor thanked all for taking the time to present their plans and for taking input from the community. |
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