CountryMax Stores begins construction on new store near Auburn

AURELIUS, N.Y. — CountryMax Stores announced that construction is underway on a new store just outside Auburn that will be the company’s 19th location.

The new CountryMax will be located at 1651 Clark Street Road in the town of Aurelius — in the former Aldi’s, adjacent to the Fingerlakes Mall and across the street from Bass Pro Shops.

The family-owned CountryMax — which sells products for pets, wild birds, lawn and garden activity, barn and stable needs, and feed products — operates retail stores across upstate New York. The company is headquartered in Victor, near Rochester.

CountryMax is expanding the existing building’s footprint to about 26,000 square feet, which is in line with the retailer’s newer store models in Batavia, Oswego, and Webster. The company is targeting April 2023 for the store opening, CountryMax said in its Thursday announcement.

The upcoming Auburn–area store will have between 20 and 25 full- and part-time employees, including specialists in pet nutrition, lawn and garden, small animals, nursery stock, and wild bird supplies.

The new store will include large, rustic timber entryway with a custom-built chandelier. The location will also have an approximately 15,000-square-foot live plant nursery yard with timber- framed shade structure.

It will also have an event room for hosting children’s birthday parties, dog-training classes, canning and homesteading demonstrations, backyard chicken seminars, small group meetings, and scheduled guest speakers from Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Montezuma Audubon Society.

Like most CountryMax stores, Auburn will include a fully built-out nursery yard and greenhouse. The warehouse will contain more than 50 types of livestock feed, and the exterior yards will hold soils, mulches, stone and other “big bag” lawn and garden items.

“We’re so excited to be adding this location in Auburn, because it’s exactly the type of community CountryMax serves best,” Brad Payne, director of sales at CountryMax Stores, said. “Homeowners who take real pride in their lawns, gardens, pets and outdoor hobbies. With strong roots in Rochester and a growing presence in Syracuse, Auburn is the perfect bridge store between the two markets.”

Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, CountryMax will begin interviewing to fill positions at the new store. Those interested “with retail experience and the right can-do attitudes” can  apply online at CountryMax.com/employment, the company said.