For some people, a trip to Lowe’s is a chance to get what they need for their next home improvement project. However, customers in Richmond, VA visit the store to get a glimpse of a local celebrity of sorts.
“She gets probably as many visitors as we get people shopping in the store,” said Michael Sida, Store Manager of Lowe’s 1037.
The she that Sida is referring to isn’t a person, but a cat. Seven years ago, Sida said a cat wandered into the outside Lawn and Garden area of Lowe’s 1037 and never left. Eventually the cat was named Francine and has become a staple of the Richmond community.
“Pretty much everyone who lives in this area knows that she lives here, and she runs the place,” said customer Alara Long. “All of my friends always say, ‘let’s go check out the Lowe’s cat,’ when we come here.”
Francine can be found snoozing on stacks of boxes, laying around outside lawn and garden, patrolling the store looking for someone to give her a few pets, or posing for a customer’s photo. Associates say it’s not uncommon to see people coming into the store to get a photo of Francine.
Gaining so much popularity over the years, when the board game Monopoly made an official board for Richmond in 2023, the game unveiled an action card that prompts players to “visit the Lowe’s cat Francine.” A local artist has even made fan art of Francine with her at the center of the city, Lowe’s 1037 now hangs that print in the store. Searching Francine on social media apps such as TikTok and Instagram leads to many fan photos and videos of the cat.
“Everyone who comes to Richmond should come see Francine because she’s a beacon of the community,” says Lowe’s Associate Nick Myers and Francine’s caretaker.
Beloved by the community, Myers says people chip in to cover Francine’s vet visits he takes her on for her shots and checkups. Myers also makes sure that Francine always has a full food and water bowl set up at the store.
“It’s nice that she’s allowed to be here I think it makes the place a little more homey in a way,” said Long.
Despite Francine having the ability to leave the store whenever she pleases, she never has. Sida says if Francine wants to stay in Lowe’s 1037, she has a home there.
