ESCANABA — L&M Fleet Supply of Grand Rapids, Minn. is planning to open its 12th retail store location in Escanaba. Located at the former ShopKo site, the 90,000 plus square foot store is expected to open in spring 2023. This location marks the first expansion of L&M Supply into Michigan, with future plans for another store to open in Marquette in 2024.

“This new location in Escanaba offers an exciting opportunity to revitalize a large retail space that will provide the community with a wide array of products as well as future career opportunities,” said Shawn Matteson, L&M Fleet supply co-owner. In order to accommodate their business model, L&M Supply will remodel the former ShopKo building starting this fall.

With expansion to the Escanaba market, L&M Supply plans to hire approximately 80 people to work on their store management, sales floor, cashier, and warehouse teams. They will also look to fill a variety of store support roles, specialty sales positions, and small engine repair jobs. Hiring will begin mid-summer for management roles, followed by department leaders and specialty roles early fall, sales floor team late fall, and cashiers in early January. Future Job opportunities will be posted at www.landmsupply.com/employment.

Privately owned and operated by third generation owners, L&M Fleet Supply was founded in 1959 in a 40-foot by 60-foot building in Grand Rapids, Minn. and has grown to now include eight stores in Northern Minnesota and three stores in Northern Wisconsin.

“With the exciting growth to these new markets, L&M will bring the unique merchandise selection and excellent, knowledgeable customer service that they’ve become known for since 1959. L&M stores proudly offer 14 major departments including Outdoor Power Equipment Sales & Service, Fishing & Marine, Hunting & Firearms, Work wear and Fashion Clothing and Footwear, Automotive, Farm & Pet, Home Improvement and much more,” company officials said.