Columnist Muriel Stevens: New store has homey feeling

Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2001 | 8:30 a.m.

At long last, Home Depot has opened a store I can easily access. For some months I've been watching the new Home Depot, at 6025 S. Pecos Road, take shape. And finally, it's open.

Why do I prefer Home Depot? Assistant store manager Tony Bocook nailed it when I asked what was the secret to its success: "The biggest reason has always been our customer service. Has been, is today and always will be."

It's an old-fashioned concept, service, but it never goes out of style.

Having a knowledgeable staff is another plus. Ask a question (I always ask many) and you'll get an informed answer. HD's training program must be awesome because the demand for savvy staff is certainly larger than the supply.

Home Depot has come a long way from the days when few women held positions of power: The store manager is Dawn Nehk.

As I wandered the store I saw dozens of items I needed, including more fluorescent bulbs for my makeup mirrors. These are the same shape as the incandescent bulbs I'm replacing (unlike the ones I bought that look like cute little corkscrews), but at 10 watts per bulb for the same amount of illumination, sooner or later the power savings should kick in. The bulbs are made by Panasonic. I was directed to the section by Mary (who modestly refused to give me her last name), who knows all about things electric.

It's always a problem these days getting small jobs done in the home. In other stores I've seen business cards pinned on a bulletin board, but when one store told me this was merely a service for their customers and not a recommendation, I lost interest.

Home Depot guarantees all installations. It checks out all independent service people to assure they are licensed and bonded. As Bocook said, "Customers don't care who the installers are, they know they're doing business with Home Depot.

"This is not a commercial. We're really there to serve you."

Among the many products that can be installed are: window treatments, kitchen cabinets, ceramic tile, wood and vinyl flooring, stone counter tops, garage doors and exterior doors. Home Depot supplies a pamphlet that tells what you have to do before the installer comes.

There are some steps the customer must complete before the installer arrives. All of the requirements are clearly defined in the pamphlet.

Home Depot is a do-it-yourself paradise, offering a variety of free "How-To" workshops every weekend, including workshops for kids. Sign up in advance for these. The board, including the one for kids, was filled with names.

Learn how to install a ceiling fan, ceramic tile, a misting system or storage organizers. I'm tempted to learn faux painting techniques. I'm crazy about this stuff and have many books on the subject, but learning from an expert is better.

Just recently Home Depot started to carry appliances, mostly Maytag and GE washers and dryers, dishwashers and refrigerators. The selection is small, but it's a start.

Hours at the Pecos store are 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Friday; 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday; 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday.