Lowe’s at 100: the Mooresville-based retailer gives back to celebrate its centennial

A century ago, Lowe’s started as just a modest hardware store in Wilkesboro, NC.

Background: It was called North Wilkesboro Hardware Company and it sold everything from overalls to washtubs, work boots and even horse collars.

H. Carl Buchan, part-owner of the store, envisioned creating a chain of hardware stores and purchased North Wilkesboro Hardware Company from his brother-in-law and partner, James Lowe. You can see where this is going.

Fast forward: Lowe’s is now the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world.

The company had a record-breaking year in 2020 with $89.6 billion in sales. Lowe’s also launched a tool rental program last year, which was piloted out of the Lowe’s in South End on Iverson Way.

Lowe’s recently announced an enhanced shopping experience for pros in its stores as well. These store sections will cater to contractors and builders in an effort to improve the in-store shopping experience for pros.

Even with all of this impressive growth, giving back to the community has remained a core part of Lowe’s mission.

That’s why they’re celebrating their 100th birthday with a massive “100 Hometowns” initiative.

The initiative will help fund renovation and restoration projects in 100 communities nationwide. Lowe’s has committed $10 million to the project. Country music star Kane Brown, who worked at Lowe’s before his music career took off, has even gotten involved to give back to his hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Nominations for projects ended in April. Eligible project types range from community spaces like parks and youth centers to neighborhood housing to cultural preservation.

• 100 hometowns projects will be announced in summer 2021.

Lowe’s has already invested heavily in its own hometown here in Charlotte.

Last year, Lowe’s committed $9.25 million to help the greater Charlotte region. Most recently, they made a 3-year, $3 million commitment to Renaissance West Community Initiative; it was the largest donation the group has ever received.

The support went towards some of the most critical challenges facing our city, including affordable housing, providing access to technology and helping small businesses hit hardest by the pandemic.

Here are some of the local organizations that received support from Lowe’s:

• 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte
• Apparo
• Central Piedmont Community College
• Charlotte Center City Partners
• Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Foundation
• Charlotte Museum of History
• City of Charlotte
• Crisis Assistance Ministry
• Digi-Bridge
• E2D (Eliminate the Digital Divide)
• Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont

• Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region
• Heal Charlotte
• La Noticia
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Charlotte
• Mitchell Community College
• Potions and Pixels
• Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte
• Road2Hire
• She Built This City
• Socialserve/United Way of Central Carolinas
• The ROC
• Town of Mooresville
• United Way of Central Carolinas
• Urban League of Central Carolinas
• Veterans Bridge Home
• WFAE Finding Home
• Renaissance West Community Initiative

Lowe’s commitment to helping and serving people is just one of the reasons it’s become a top place to work in the Charlotte area.

“Lowe’s is one of those companies you can feel proud of,” says Matt Keener, a senior software engineering manager at Lowe’s.

“You feel like you’re part of a family and that feeling permeates everything we do.”

Interested in becoming part of the Lowe’s team? Check out open roles.

This content was created in partnership with Lowe’s.