Russell Cellular adds eight stores in Kentucky

Russell Cellular Inc. has added eight Kentucky stores as part of an acquisition by Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) earlier in the year.

Nathan Mindeman, Russell Cellular's chief strategy officer, said the stores were transitioned by Verizon to the Battlefield company on Nov. 16. He cited Verizon's March acquisition of certain assets of Bluegrass Cellular, a rural wireless operator serving central Kentucky.

"The decision to open new locations is something we work closely with Verizon to determine," said Jeff Russell, Russell Cellular CEO and co-president, in the release. "These eight locations have a successful track record, and we were excited about the opportunity to bring them into the Russell Cellular portfolio as flagship stores."

The new locations bring Russell Cellular's count to 718 Verizon-authorized stores in 43 states.

Russell Cellular this year ranked No. 2 in Springfield Business Journal's Dynamic Dozen fast-growth awards list. The company reported 2020 revenue of $664.5 million, representing three-year growth of 57%.

Company officials have projected revenue this year would exceed $800 million.