Blue Ox Equipment and Supply, a local company that sells lawn and professional forestry equipment, held a ribbon-cutting Thursday at their new location on Race Street just off the Cecil B. Jackson by-pass.

After spending several years at Craig Field Industrial Park, Blue Ox owner Steen Traylor said it was time for a change.

“This is a bigger location and a better location because it is just off the by-pass,” Traylor said. “It’s more visible there and we’ve been getting more business.”

Traylor said he has two more companies, including Blue Ox Forestry, still operating at Craig Field, but they will likely be moved to the new location by the end of the month.

The new store, with is spacious floor plan and tall windows, seems to have an ideal design for displaying Husqvar and Sthil name-brand outdoor equipment.

Tad Lightfoot, manager at Blue Ox, said the company sells everything from riding lawnmowers to tractors to All Terrain Vehicles.

“We cover sales, parts, and service,” Lightfoot said.

Traylor said every piece of equipment sold at Blue Ox is serviced there at the store.

“We sell two top-of-the-line, tough products here,” Traylor said. “I think our customers will be pleased with our selection and prices.”

Since opening the new store on June 10, Lightfoot says, Blue Ox has been welcoming plenty of new customers and getting lots of compliments on the dcor.

“(The store) has turned out really nice, and people have been commenting on our cypress paneling,” Lightfoot said. “Since we’re just off the by-pass, lots of people travel this way and can see us.”

The new Blue Ox business currently has three employees, with another six being brought in later in the month.

After a quick moment in the sun to cut a red ribbon, the party went back inside the air-conditioned store to enjoy refreshments and take a look around the place.

Local radio station FM WDXX 100.1 also did a live remote broadcast from the store during the ribbon cutting.

Blue Ox Equipment and Supply, found directly next-door to International Paper, is open six days a week from 7:30 a.m. till 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7:30 a.m. till noon on Saturdays.