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Ardente Supply Co., a plumbing, heating and cooling wholesaler based in Providence, R.I., opened its third location in October. Its new branch is at 79 Tom Harvey Road in the Westerly Airport Industrial Park in Westerly, R.I.
The 30,000-sq.-ft. building will serve as a customer showroom, warehouse and office building, including 15,000 sq. ft. for the warehouse and distribution center and 5,000 sq. ft. for the showroom to open early next year.
“Westerly is an ideal location for our business since demand in the area's housing market has grown tremendously,” said Mark Ardente, co-owner and treasurer, in a statement. “We're looking forward to serving customers in the southern Rhode Island and southeastern Connecticut area.”
As part of the ribbon-cutting celebration, Ardente Supply Co. donated $500 to the Westerly Area Rest Meals (W.A.R.M.) Shelter, a private, nonprofit organization that offers meals for those in need and serves as an emergency shelter for the homeless in southern Rhode Island and nearby Connecticut.
The company expects to employ between five and 10 staff members at the Westerly store.
Ardente Supply Co. was founded in 1946 by Raymond Ardente Sr. Today it is operated by the third generation of the Ardente family and has branches in Woonsocket and Westerly, R.I. The company's vendor list includes American Standard, A.O. Smith, Burnham, Porcher, Rheem, TOTO and Weil-McLain. For more information, visit www.ardente.com.