Gabriel Brothers targets larger stores

Morgantown, W. Va. Off-price retailer Gabriel Brothers said it will focus its expansion efforts on building larger prototype stores of 50,000 sq. ft. and above. The company currently serves the Harrisburg, Pa., area with new prototype stores located in Harrisburg and York, Pa.

As part of its growth strategy, the company said it will not renew the lease of a Mechanicsburg, Pa., location, at 37,000 sq. ft., the smallest of the three stores, located only 12 miles from its Harrisburg location.

"Because of our record growth, we plan to construct larger stores that can accommodate expanded merchandise offerings to better serve our customers," said Richard Pesce, senior VP store operations at Gabriel Brothers. "These larger prototypes can accommodate wider assortments, expanded children’s, infants and toddler departments, as well as larger furniture departments, promotional areas, and other selections of commodity items at exceptional values for which we are known.”

The company completed five remodeled stores in 2008, with three to five stores scheduled to be expanded and modernized this year. The company operates 102 stores through its Gabriel Brothers and Rugged Wearhouse chains in 11 states, employing 3,200 associates.  Three distribution centers service the retail stores.

Gabriel Brothers will offer all employees at Mechanicsburg positions at other locations.