MADISON TOWNSHIP — With a new location, Peebles is making more than a fashion statement on the corner of Route 20 and Hubbard Road in Madison. Now offering more parking, selection and floor space, the Virginia-based retailer vacated their long-time location last week. Within days they relocated to a portion of the former Tops supermarket — remodeled and glowing like any first-rate department store.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony commenced the Sept. 18 opening. Chamber of commerce and other local officials celebrated the expansion before nearly 100 waiting customers set out for a shopping spree. The first 150 received a free deluxe hand-care set, among an additional 15 percent off everything — good until Monday.

The new 17,000-square-foot department store features not only what customers have enjoyed for years, but more. Peebles is now 50 percent bigger offering more name-brand vendors and expanded inventory.

“We're really pleased to be expanding this store,” said Mike Stablein, vice president regional manager of Peebles. “Our business has been great in Madison. Our customers have been asking for this for a number of years — it's long overdo.”

Peebles has added six employees to their staff, employing about two-dozen total, said Store Manager Gretchen Mosier.

Mosier, an Ashtabula County native, returned from North Carolina to manage the Madison store.

“Peebles is 114 years old. Madison is the kind of community that Peebles was built around,” Mosier said. “We are just building upon what the customers asked for, and what they already love about Peebles.”

Every department, mens, womens, juniors, childrens, shoes, jewelry, cosmetics, and home décor have been expanded. Larger aisles and a clear view of the entire store should make customers more comfortable, and provide room for expansion, Mosier said.

Peebles is located at 6601 North Ridge Road, Madison Township. Owned by Stage Stores, they aim to bring nationally recognized brand-name apparel, accessories, cosmetics and footwear for the entire family to small and mid-size towns and communities with more than 700 stores in 35 states. They are currently opening 40 new stores a year, concentrating on the northern United States.