ALBEMARLE — Albemarle Paper Supply distribution company broke ground Friday on a $3.5 million warehouse expansion project.
City and county officials made an appearance at the locally-owned-and-operated company, currently located at 735 Henson Street, a distributor of disposable paper products to businesses and events across North Carolina since 2009.
The construction process for the new 30,000-square-foot warehouse space next door began this past week and is expected to finish in October. Charlotte-based Southside Constructors, Inc. is handling the build.
After beginning in a 5,000-square-foot building on East Main Street, Albemarle Paper Supply co-owners and cousins Nick and John Kalogeromitros purchased the current 25,000-square-foot, 11-acre building on Henson Street in 2014.
“No company can grow and thrive by itself. You need to assemble a good team,” Nick Kalogeromitros told the crowd during the groundbreaking ceremony on May 3. “Over the last 15 years, we’ve done that and we’ve assembled a lot of experience. In all parts of the business, we’ve learned the trade. This is a culmination of celebration for all of us.”
He referenced the assistance and guidance his business had received over the years from his father Dino and uncle Jimmy Kalogeromitros, owners of Albemarle’s Blue Bay Seafood.
The latter came up with the idea of the family starting a paper distribution company since it had already been in the restaurant business for a very long time and knew some partners in the business.
At 22 and 18, respectively, Nick and John were tasked with “a big learning curve” as they trained themselves to understand banking, financing, terms, routes and vehicles.
“This is for our parents, our brothers, and the employee support from the city, support from the county, and all the connections and the love that we’ve received from all of our clients as well,” Nick said. “We couldn’t do it without them.”
More than doubling the amount of available warehouse space for the company, the new expanded facilities and additional space will enable it to purchase more bulk products, offer better prices to customers, and facilitate more customized products.
“We’re proud to witness the remarkable growth of businesses like Albemarle Paper Supply,” Albemarle Mayor Ronnie Michael said in a city press release. “Their journey from humble beginnings to the success they’re experiencing now shows what can be accomplished with hard work, dedication, and skill. The story of Albemarle Paper Supply is a wonderful example of the opportunity available in our community for entrepreneurs.”
The City of Albemarle and Stanly County worked together to endorse and aid Albemarle Paper Supply’s expansion project.
“Existing industry support in Stanly County is a vital component of the program of the Economic Development Commission. Economic prosperity relies on strong partnerships with public and private partners,” Candice Lowder, Stanly County Economic Development Commission director, said in a press release.
“We provide support to large and small companies to help them achieve their goals, which will ensure their success in our community, now and in the future,” Lowder added. “We value the partnership with the City of Albemarle and Albemarle Paper Supply, and we congratulate them on their continued growth in Albemarle.”