Anderson Electric converts Hollister grocery store

Anderson Electric & Plumbing Supply of Hollister opened Oct. 11 at 2949 Business Highway 65, a former Country Mart, and held a grand opening Nov. 30.

Anderson bought the empty 36,000 square-foot Country Mart building from Doug and Kevin Girard in April and renovated it during the last six months at a cost of $200,000.

“It doesn’t look like a grocery store anymore,” said Anderson, who was his own general contractor. “We totally gutted the building and started over.”

General Design of Branson was the architect.

The possibility of building an additional warehouse for Anderson’s electrical and plumbing supply business in the Hollister area first occurred when he bought a couple of condominiums at Emerald Point south of Hollister three years ago.

“After hearing of the proposed airport at Branson Creek, the Branson Landing and convention center, as well as other developments, I thought we ought to look at the Hollister area. It’s booming,” Anderson said. “I thought if these things happen, it will continue to grow.”

Four years ago, Anderson had purchased three warehouses – two in Springdale, Ark., and one in Rogers – under the business name of Marks Electric and Plumbing Supply.

“We are heavily concentrated in Arkansas. We wanted to diversify our market,” Anderson said.

Anderson runs the business with his son, Keven, president of the company and also a state representative in the Rogers area, and with his daughter, Cindy, who serves as secretary-treasurer.

The Hollister location includes a sales office and warehouse and serves retail and commercial customers. A new 3,000-square-foot showroom, to be finished next year, will display vignettes of bathrooms, kitchens and lighting.

Anderson said the store employs 10 people. Paul Angelakos is the general manager and Frank Gary is the assistant manager.