ASHMORE PAINT

tewart Strayer has a long history with Benjamin Moore. It dates back to 1979, when he began painting houses using their products, logging long hours in the Houston heat. Several years later, Strayer had marriage in his near future and figured the respectable thing to do would be to get a full-time job. He was brought on board as a Benjamin Moore sales rep and worked for the company until 1993. “I was better suited to do my own thing,” admits Strayer, who by that time was feeling the entrepreneurial itch. He and his wife made the trip down to Corpus Christi, where the Ashmore Paint store was up for sale. Upon arrival, it was the laid-back, slower pace of Corpus Christi that first won him over. “We thought it would be a nice small town to raise a family… you could go to the nicest steakhouse in town wearing shorts and tennis shoes, and that fits me quite nicely.” The beach town’s easygoing vibe wasn’t the only star that seemingly aligned, though. The husband of the couple whom they were purchasing the store from shared a birthdate with Strayer, and he had also been a Benjamin Moore trade rep before purchasing Ashmore Paint and going off on his own—an identical set of circumstances that sealed the deal. “I thought it must be meant to be.”

Strayer is the fourth set of hands to take the reins of Corpus Christi’s only locally owned full-service paint store, with Ashmore’s doors first opening in 1911. The previous owners had been members of Mid-South, and seized the opportunity to join the ALLPRO family when the merger happened. “The benefits are many,” relays Strayer. “There’s the obvious buying opportunities, the low minimums, we’re a one-store operation, so to be able to go to suppliers and have the low minimums (is great). You’ve got to stay competitive and ALLPRO has allowed us to do that. But an equal if not a greater benefit are the fall business meetings where you can go and just learn. And learn from experts in the industry and learn from each other. It’s just a great resource for learning how to operate a business.” Strayer offers similar praise for Benjamin Moore, who he knows better than most thanks to his background. “At the end of the day, they are the only national brand out there committed to supporting [independent dealers]—we’ve come to rely on that.”

Throughout the course of the pandemic, Strayer felt more grateful than ever before to have these resources to draw from, seeing it as a unique opportunity to serve a market wherein larger chain stores were struggling with supply chain issues. “It’s really allowed us as an independent to thrive because we have multiple channels to get things. When we saw the challenges coming, we Juanita Limon-Serna Store Manager

were able to increase our inventory on all of our fast-moving items. And so far, we’ve almost not had any products out of stock. But it’s because of ALLPRO and the job they do. We have resources that as a stand-alone independent we would have never had. So hats off to ALLPRO for helping us stay in business.” The impacts of the virus illuminated strengths as well as potential areas for improvement, encouraging Strayer to confront the increasing necessity of an online store. “It accelerated the need,” shares Strayer. “We could all see the writing on the wall, but when COVID hit, it moved that into the front seat.” Now, Strayer sees this feature as integral to their growth. He’s currently working with their sale software company to launch a shoppable website. “It’s going to make us much more efficient and we’re going to be able to better serve our customers—that’s the bottom line.”

It’s clear that the number one priority for Ashmore Paint is their customers, something Strayer feels his operation has a keen grasp on (thanks in part to the town’s relaxed mentality). “It’s customer-centered,” he explains. “It’s making sure we have products on our shelves and we’re priced competitively. It’s making sure our employees know our products and when someone walks in the door they’re being greeted and they’re being helped. All our employees are empowered to do that. We’re here to do our job and take good care of our customers, but I want us to have a good time while we’re here.” Ashmore Paint proves a great business comes down to the fundamentals, the simple pillars of working hard and being kind that get you a lot farther than any marketing strategy ever could (particularly in a small town). Strayer’s philosophy helps Ashmore Paint fit perfectly into Corpus Christi’s idyllic lifestyle, serving nobly as a community staple and go-to for DIY-ers and pros alike.

Q:

what music is typically playing in your store ? 70S AND 80S, FLEETWOOD MAC AND EAGLES KIND OF STUFF.

Q: Funniest employee? A: We actually don’t have any company comedians.

Q: Favorite local spot? A: Bruster’s Ice House. It’s an indoor-outdoor kind of venue with live music, food, and drinks. We have a great time there.

Q: If you were a paint color, which would you be? A: HC-172 Revere Pewter. Been around forever, steady and predictable.