Addition of Lumber and Building Supplies Builds Customer Base

After serving the community for nearly three decades, Rick and Tonya Lovell, the owners of Toledo Hardware and Feed in Toledo, Washington, took the step to fill a hole in the area—lumber and building supplies.

The couple purchased the warehouse and yard across the street from the current store, which now serves as the main area for lumber and building supplies.

There is no one selling lumber anywhere near us or at least 20-plus miles from us,” Tonya says. “With so much construction going around us, we felt like it was the next step in our growth in this area.”

The couples’ wholesaler rep directed them to Weatherly’s, a lumber and building materials distributor in the Pacific Northwest. The reps at Weatherly’s helped the Lovells decide what products to bring in first.

“When it comes to adding new products, listening to our customers has always been our best direction,” Tonya says. “We have plans to bring on other lumber and building materials vendors, and appreciate the guidance we’ve gotten from Weatherly’s.”

The Lovells purchased the operation’s second location, Lexington Hardware & Feed in Kelso, Washington, in December 2019. They will be adding lumber to this location as well.

“The customer feedback has been incredible and beyond our expectations,” Tonya says. “Daily lumber sales have certainly been a blessing. As we all know, in small business, everything can be a risk. We have been very fortunate to have the community support throughout our years here.”

See the other ways retailers are serving customers in Hardware Retailing’s Checkouts section.