If you traveled past the old Lehighton Wal-Mart location in the past two weeks, you were sure to see the non-stop movement of construction vehicles in addition to the construction of the outer shell of the new Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse Center store.

Planners anticipate the outer shell of the new Lowe's store to be done by next week. Greg Duncan, assistant Mahoning Township engineer, pointed out that weather has been a big factor in the delay of the store's construction.If weather permits, planners anticipate the new store to open by late August, if not earlier.The new Lowe's will cover 122,256 square feet and will offer more than 32,000 products, more than 94,000 square feet of which is for retail space. A 23,000 square foot garden center will offer a large selection of flowers, bushes, trees and garden supplies.The Lehighton store represents an approximate $12 million investment in the community and will add approximately 120 new jobs to the area. Lowe's also works with the local communities through partnerships with the American Red Cross, United Way, Habitat for Humanity and the Home Safety Council to create safer homes.In addition, the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation gives more than $2 million dollars each year to support educational and community projects across the country.Based in Mooresville, N.C., and founded in 1946, Lowe's has grown from a small hardware store to the second largest home improvement retailer worldwide.Lowe's stores stock and provide products in over 20 categories, ranging from appliances to tools, to paint, lumber and nursery products. Lowe's also has hundreds of thousands of available products purchasable via special order and via its website.Currently Lowe's operates more than 1,725 stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The first Lowe's store opened in Pennsylvania in 1975.