Big Boxes Brings Big Choices

By Di Johnson

In the last 30 years, residents of the Cedar Creek Lake area have seen vast changes in the way they get their goods. Gone are the times of having only a Winn Dixie and a small local hardware store; big boxes have made their way in, transforming local shopping and giving more choices than ever.

In Gun Barrel City and Mabank, many options now exist for groceries, home goods, home improvement and ranching thanks to the addition of the Walmart Supercenter, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Tractor Supply Company and Atwoods.

Walmart, conveniently located on Main Street, brings an endless array of groceries, clothing, personal care, hardware, automotive care, home goods and much more to the area. For those who can’t bear the thought of entering the store, online shopping with free pickup on orders over $35 is available daily. According to the Gun Barrel City Economic Development Corporation, this store consistently ranks among the topperforming stores in Texas in terms of sales per square foot.

Lowe’s is also located on Main Street in Gun Barrel and carries products for all hardware and home improvement needs on the lake. Whether you’re building a dock for your new lake house, giving your living room the perfect shade of blue or looking for sleek, modern appliances, Lowe’s has you covered.

For our farmers, ranchers and outdoorsmen, Tractor Supply and Atwoods truly have it all. Both are located in Mabank, at opposite ends of Third Street. Tractor Supply keeps all of your farming needs in stock, from cattle medications to feed, fencing and pens, to outerwear to stay comfortable on those cold winter mornings. The store also keeps toys in stock for the little ones, and in the springtime, each time you enter, you’ll hear chirping and hopping from the area’s cutest little farm animals.

Atwoods carries a variety of lawn care, farm and ranch, clothing, home and cleaning products, along with items to suit all of your outdoor recreation and hunting needs. At Atwoods, you can also keep your kitchen and pantry stocked with goods from their country market, including pickles, jams, jellies, candies, meats, condiments and more.

Dollar stores, in the forms of Dollar Tree, Family Dollar and Dollar General, have popped up all over Cedar Creek Lake, making quick trips available to those who just need a few things and don’t want to travel more than a couple miles from home.

The area is also home to a lineup of America’s most well-known automotive stores, furniture stores, wireless service dealers and more, making the area a prime place to spend your summers or retirement. Grab your favorite coffee from Starbucks on Main Street and reel in some good times.