Sprouts & Shutters: Orchard Supply Hardware On Floresta Reopens

The grand reopening won't be until April 6th but shoppers are already roaming the refurbished Orchard Supply Hardware at 300 Floresta Boulevard where it intersects Washington Avenue.

Some changes are apparent from the outside.

The sign now emphasizes "Orchard" as part of a campaign by the chain to outgrow its old "OSH" moniker.

There is also a separate entrance and exit, complete with checkout station, for the nursery section.

Patch wasn't allowed to take pictures inside so a few observations must suffice.

The new layout gives the store a more spacious feel 

While the San Leandro rebuild was in progress, company officials explained that the new store would have a racetrack design.

This was meant to encourage customers to walk around the store rather than to thread up and down aisles. 

The polished stone floor looks great and there is fresh paint throughout. 

As mentioned in our prior story there is a "Workbench" opposite the return desk at the main entrance. It looks like a handy spot to get keys and other hands-on help or get directed to where you need to go.

Orchard has 89 stores and only a dozen or so have the new look. So San Leandro must rate pretty high in the company's estimation.

Meanwhile, the San Lorenzo location continues going through the process of shutting down.

If you've had a chance to visit the store, what do you think?