MADAWASKA, Maine — A third generation, family-owned hardware supply and lumber business located on Main Street has torn down a house across the road to make room for expansion.
The 51-year-old Central Building Supply had the house demolished on April 14 so the property can be used as a lumber yard to house more inventory.
“We sell a lot of lumber and we’re growing every year,” said James Wetmore, owner of Central Building Supply. “That’s why we expanded across the street, so we could offer more product and display our product.”
He attributes the company’s success to “customer relationships, customer service. It has to do with a family-owned, locally-owned business which has been around for 50 years. We’re not changing what we do. We just keep doing what we do.”
Central Building Supply is the offshoot of a hardware store that Emile Chasse, Wetmore’s grandfather, operated in St. Agatha more than half a century ago.
Wetmore’s father eventually took over the business, which he moved to Madawaska in 1965.
With the help of 10 full-time employees, Central Building Supply serves both homeowners and contractors, providing products such as pressure treated lumber, dimensional lumber, retaining wall blocks, roofing, plastic culverts and wood pellets.
The business purchased the home across the street several years ago from Norman and Linda Cyr.
“We were running out of room, and the property across the street came up for sale. It was a good opportunity,” Wetmore said.
Madawaska Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Brian Bouley said the Central Building Supply expansion is a plus for the town and expressed the benefits of consumers buying local.
“Every dollar spent in this community typically stays in this community,” Bouley said. “As far as reinvestment, Mr. Wetmore pays his employees, who then go purchase [products] in the area.”