Displays at the new Batteries Plus location in Little Rock.
With the government phaseout of incandescent light bulbs, Batteries Plus is positioned to help provide more energy-efficient commercial and residential lighting options at its recently opened location in Little Rock.
Franchisees Ted Mitchell and Warren Stephenson leased the 3,900-SF space at 801 S. Bowman Road through Rector Phillips Morse Inc. of Little Rock. It’s the first store in an agreement with Roark Capital Group, a private equity firm out of Atlanta, to open four of the franchises in Arkansas in the next three years.
“Consumers and businesses in Little Rock can visit our store and get expert advice on energy consumption and ways to reduce it in their individual homes and offices,” said Mitchell. “Whether it’s replacing their current light bulbs with LEDs or other energy-efficient lighting options, we’ll help guide consumers and businesses through this confusing process, discuss lighting options and help them find the light bulbs that are right for them.”
LEDs are the best energy-saving option, Mitchell said, using less electricity and lasting up to 23 years or 30,000 to 60,000 hours. They are more expensive on the front end, but in the long run they are 85 percent more energy efficient than incandescent light bulbs, while producing the same amount of light.
At Batteries Plus, customers can view lighting displays that help illustrate the differences among incandescent, CFL (compact fluorescent light) and LED (light-emitting diode) lights, as well as other aspects of lighting. In addition, the store’s lighting experts, who are required to have training on energy-efficient lighting technology and products, are available to help.
Mitchell, who also owns five Party City franchises and various commercial real estate ventures, said that in looking for a new franchise opportunity he found that Batteries Plus was highly successful and growing, opening one store a week in 2011.
It cost about $350,000 to start up the Little Rock location. “Really do your homework,” Mitchell advised those considering opening a new business or franchise. Although he expects this venture to be an overwhelming success, he said, even for someone with more than 30 years of retail experience, opening a business can be tough.
“In an age of increased portability, our society is dependent on batteries and light bulbs,” Mitchell said. “Batteries Plus provides unmatched service and expertise, along with batteries and light bulbs of virtually every shape and size.”
Batteries plus is open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. For more information, call (501) 224-2852 or visit BatteriesPlus.com.
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