Land & Coates, which specializes in outdoor power equipment, opened its first store on the Middle Peninsula last week. Following a soft opening, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Tuesday morning at the store, located on Route 17, Hayes.

The building, which previously housed a building supply business, is now filled with all types of outdoor power equipment. Kubota is a featured brand, said Barden Winstead, whose family owns L&C.

Other brands in stock include Toro, Honda, Hustler, Husqvarna and others, Winstead said. They sell all types of riding lawn mowers, tractors and other power equipment.

"We saw an opportunity," he said of Land & Coates opening its first store in Gloucester. Another business once sold Kubota, he said, and his company identified this market as a chance to sell Kubota and other power equipment.

In addition to sales, Winstead said Land & Coates services all brands of outdoor power equipment as well as some other engines.

The ne...