Sysco Foods new regional distribution center is not even open yet but it is already bringing other business to Longview.
The newest of those is W&B Service Co., according to Longview commercial real estate agent Lance Schooley, with Noon and Associates. He handled the transaction for the buyers that closed last week for a 20,000-square-foot shell building sitting on a 5-acre tract on East U.S. 80 across from Hutto's East 80 Garden Center. Diane Day, also with Noon and Associates, represented the seller, Rex Gatlin.
W&B Service Co. is in the business of servicing over-the-road refrigerated transport trucks and trailers, according to Doug Miller. Miller is the manager of the company's Lufkin facility and will also oversee the Longview site.
The local operation expects to hire about 10 employees within a year, he said.
Miller said work is in progress on outfitting the building to meet the company's needs. He said it should be ready in early June.
W&B Service already has two Longview-area employees manning mobile units that service trailer-truck refrigerated units. Miller said W&B operates 17 other locations in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.
The Longview location, while providing service for Sysco, will also serve other refrigerated carriers in the Longview-Shreveport-Tyler and Northeast Texas area, Miller said.
He said the Longview Sysco Foods distribution center is slated to start shipping products in October.
VeggieTales making appearance at store
The Longview LifeWay Christian Store is celebrating its recent change of location with a monthlong grand opening event that will include appearance by VeggieTales characters Bob and Larry and Max Lucado's Hermie the Caterpillar.
The grand opening event will start Saturday at Longview Towne Crossing, North Eastman Road at Hawkins Parkway.
The 8,000-square-foot LifeWay Christian Store, which officially opened last week,features Christian music, gifts, Bibles, books, children's products and church supplies.
"It has been our pleasure to serve the Longview community for the past eight years," said Mark Qualls, manager. "The new location better positions us for greater opportunities for ministry."
Mark Scott, company president, said the company's goal is to be a one-source location for churches and individuals "as we strive to fulfill our vision of providing biblical solutions for life."
The Longview store is one of 26 LifeWay Christian Stores in Texas and one of 148 stores the chain operates in 25 states. Store hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
VeggieTales' characters Bob and Larry will greet customers at the new location from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Max Lucado's Hermie the Caterpillar will make a special appearance from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 24. Live remote radio broadcasts will be held both Saturdays.
LifeWay Christian Stores is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. The company's Longview store was formerly on McCann Road in Brookwood Village.
Mike Elswick is the business editor of the Longview News-Journal. He can be reached at (903) 237-7737.
