Orchard Supply Hardware invested $20 million to remodel or rebuild four Bay Area and Northern California stores in its continuing effort to reinforce its neighborhood store concept.

Of the four stores, Orchard Supply Hardware, San Jose/Midtown, Calif., saw a complete rebuild. The company built its newest and most modern store, located adjacent to the company’s oldest and recently closed iconic store built in 1946. The San Jose location serves as the flagship of the 73-store chain that stretches from Portland, Ore., to Southern California. In March, the company opened a new urban location in Los Angeles.

“The San Jose/Midtown Orchard location reflects our deep California roots dating back to 1931 when the first store was founded by a cooperative of Santa Clara Valley fruit growers,” said president Richard Maltsbarger. “The brand new store, built and designed from the ground up, is a statement about the shining future of the Orchard Supply Hardware brand and our plans for future growth all along the West Coast.”

Additionally, Orchard invested in remodeling and modernizing stores in San Rafael, Livermore, and East Modesto, Calif. Every remodeled and new Orchard store reflects the company’s new neighborhood-format, which is designed to optimize traffic flow and minimize wait time.

“We have a significant opportunity to capture market share not being met by big box or smaller, specialty retailers,” said Maltsbarger. “We meet the specific needs of local customers focusing on the unique features of their neighborhoods. For example, a neighborhood with predominantly multi-family units will have different hardware and garden needs than a store in a suburban community.”

The 73-store chain was acquired by Lowe’s last August through bankruptcy court for $205 million. The big-box home improvement retailer has said it will operate Orchard as a separate, standalone business, retaining its brand under the leadership of Orchard’s current management team.

Orchard Supply Hardware operates neighborhood hardware and garden stores focused on paint, repair and the backyard. The company currently operates 71 stores in California and two in Oregon with stores averaging approximately 32,000 square feet of interior selling space and 8,000 square feet of exterior nursery and garden space.