R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press Community partners gather as L&M Fleet Supply hosts the grand opening of their newest location in Escanaba. Seen, from left, are Vickie Micheau, Chamber of Commerce executive director; Dennis Ford, ambassador; Kathy Dollhopf, ambassador; Steven Viau, Delta County commissioner; Sarah Maki, Daily Press publisher; Dawn Williams, Daily Press marketing executive for L&M Fleet Supply; Rich Oja, ambassador; Del Matteson, L&M Fleet Supply co-owner; Will Carne, ambassador; Tyler Riutta, store manager; Randy Malueg, ambassador; Sheila Krueger, Chamber of Commerce associate director; Rod Stende, ambassador; and Dennis LaMarch, ambassador.

ESCANABA — L&M Fleet Supply in Escanaba is celebrating its grand opening from Thursday, July 20, through Saturday, July 22. On Thursday morning, members of the Chamber of Commerce gathered with the public and key players from L&M for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. During the event, vendors are on-site, promotions are found throughout the store, and anyone who enters the building is given the opportunity to enter a drawing for one of 10 grand prizes.

Based in Minnesota, L&M Fleet Supply came to the Upper Peninsula with a soft launch of the location at 2530 1st Ave. N. on March 6. Since then, the store has been open seven days a week with regular hours, which are from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekdays, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

The first L&M opened in Grand Rapids, Minn., in 1959. Three generations later, the company now has 12 stores. Eleven are found across Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin.

“Escanaba is the ground-breaking one in all of Michigan,” said Store Manager Tyler Riutta. He reported that the new store has received “a lot of good feedback” from customers as people have gotten used to having them in town.

Everyone who entered from 7:30 a.m. Thursday was greeted with a smile and offered a hat, a sticker, and the chance to enter their name in a prize draw. People 18 years of age and older — excluding L&M employees and immediate family — may choose to put their names in the running for any or all of the 10 grand prizes up until 8 p.m. on Saturday. Ten winners will be selected randomly upon conclusion of the event.

Limited-time promotions are currently running in each of the store’s 14 departments, said L&M co-owner Del Matteson. The deals are in place through Saturday, but only apply to items in-store in Escanaba while stock lasts.

The event on Thursday and Friday includes tent vendors — including DeWalt, Milwaukee, Cub Cadet, and more — and an appearance by pro angler Jimmy Houston with his boat. Vendors will remain until about 4 or 5 p.m. both days, Riutta said.

The first 400 customers on Friday automatically receive a “swag bag” giveaway. Also on Friday, there is a cookout from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with free food samples.

A second Michigan branch of L&M Fleet Supply is soon to open in Marquette, according to Matteson, who is one of three owners of the company.

He said that the unveiling of that store is projected to be in the spring of 2024.