News Features

Area's Largest Retailer Will Open On Sunday

    Clothing And More For Less.
   North Lake County is set to welcome its largest retailer on Sunday, June 29, beginning at noon. Maxy's will open in Umatilla's Save-A-Lot Plaza with a special, plaza-wide celebration, and the public is invited to come catch a first look at 9,000 square feet of retail space that features new, name-brand items.
   The plaza is located on SR 19 just north of downtown Umatilla across from the Olde Mill Stream RV Resort.
   The store is operated by the father and son duo of Rudy and Joe Albazian, who have spent the last eight months developing the concept for the store and stocking the location with over 30,000 items. Name brands like Old Navy, Ralph Lauren, Adidas, North Face, Carters, Cat and Jack, Wild Fable, Hue, Hanes, and more populate the aisles of Maxy’s, with everything from household and kitchen items, cosmetics, clothing for all ages, toys, shoes, office supplies, furniture all on the list of inventory.
   Why would a family whose roots are in commercial real estate make the move into retail? To serve the community.
   “It’s a nice community, good people,” said Rudy on Monday of this week, as final preparations for opening were being undertaken. “We are happy to be a part of it and want to give back.”
   Since purchasing the plaza in 2022, Albazian - who has roots in South Florida dating back to the 1980s - has overseen a variety of upgrades to the property, including new paint and lighting among a long list of upgrades. As he got to know the community, he and Joe saw the need for a store like Maxy's. Beyond providing a needed service, Rudy says the store will allow the family to get more involved in supporting the Umatilla and surrounding community.
   “You make it to give it,” Rudy says of his business philosophy, and he hopes that at Maxy’s - where new retail items can be found at deep discounts - customers will benefit both from immediate savings and from having another business in town that looks to support the community’s needs.
   Imagine the store, which is named by combining the words 'max' and 'savings' as a Ross-type outlet that is accessible without the hassle of Golden Triangle traffic or the lost drive time.
   “There’s nothing like this in the area,” said Joe on Monday, taking a break from stocking items near the register area. “We needed a pillar for this plaza to be revived, and it gives us a way to give back to the community.”
   Deep discounts are the rule at Maxy’s but don’t mistake that for inventory being low-end.
   "We are focused on name brands," Joe said. "The way we buy products is from overstocks."
   It is hoped that the old adage that states a rising tide lifts all boats will apply to the plaza once the store is open. Built in the 1980’s the location had fallen into an era of decline before the Albazians took over. It is hoped that Sunday formally kicks off a new era for the plaza.
   "We want it to be a reintroduction to the plaza as a whole," Joe says. There will be bounce houses for the children, and food, as well as prize drawings. Drawings are slated for 2 p.m. Other businesses in the plaza are set to also participate in the day's fun.
   After Sunday’s special event, the store will open with operational hours of 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily starting on Monday, June 30.
   Rudy hopes the community enjoys its new shopping option.
   “It’s going to be very fair for people who come and shop,” Rudy said.