Francine, the famous feline mascot of a Lowe’s store in New Hampshire, went missing in September. Now, she’s back with her community and things couldn’t be better! Employees discovered the kitten on May 4 at a Lowe’s distribution center in Garysburg, North Carolina. She had unwittingly caught a lift in the back of a truck. Her return has caused jubilation among employees and customers alike, culminating in a special community event wreathed as “Francine Fest.”
Francine, well-known for her presence at customer service and in the store’s seasonal section, didn’t come to work for a few days. Fearing for their safety, employees at the store banded together and looked at video surveillance, realizing what was happening. On Saturday, she was finally most observed, hunting her down near the distribution center, where she was seen jumping in the back of a transportation system.
The store easily could have done nothing, but they took immediate action, using thermal drones to scour the vicinity where Francine had last been spotted. With dozens of monitoring cameras set up at the distribution center, the workers at the company’s facility in Easton worked tirelessly to find their missing feline friend.
On Tuesday, Francine was spotted wagging her tail, playing with shoppers, posing for selfies, and generally soaking up love at the Lowe’s location. Her mischievous sense of humor and engaging personality, combined with her common dog-friendly excursions, solidified Julianna’s place as a staple of her tight-knit community.
She’s just fantastic! You couldn’t put into words what she does for the store and her fellow workers,” said Wayne Schneider, one of her co-workers at store 3377. In fact, daily both employees and customers bless her beyond measure.
The day of the show, two employees of Lowe’s Richmond helped to usher Francine into the show. Then they did a 90 minute joyride while they drove her back to her own store. Schneider described the experience as heartwarming.
“That ride going down, knowing that we were going to get her, was just heartwarming. Knowing she’s safe and that she’s coming back to the store to get off her two-week vacation,” – Wayne Schneider
According to Sida, another staff member, Francine is special for the unique relationship they have with her.
“Later, we would embrace her being our store cat. But at the end of the day, she came to us. Where she’s at is where she wants to be. She does whatever she wants,” – Sida
Francine’s surprising trip has only deepened her bond with the Lowe’s community. Her presence brings joy and companionship to both customers and employees, making her an integral part of their daily lives.
The store held an amazing “Francine Fest” celebration of her homecoming. Their customers and employees joined together to pay tribute to their cherished four-legged family member. The celebration was not just an occasion to welcome Francine back, but a reflection of the community that she cultivates.
“And then, of course, when she got down to the distribution center, she shot off the truck,” – Sida
Francine’s tale is a welcome and heartwarming reminder of the intense bond these furry companions forge with their human clan members. These bonds are indeed magical and memorable. Francine’s back on the floor at Lowe’s, and her star power continues to rise. This satisfies all fears that she is right where she needs to be.
