Michigan yard retehes its sesquicentennial

ARD work, lower prices, and great service have helped Judd Lumber thrive for the past 150 years in Dowagiac, Mi. Being close to 320 lakes that are perfect for vacation and retirement living hasn't hurt either.

"We're not dependent on just local industry," said owner Richard Mark Judd Jr. "Lake recreation and the many fruit orchards attract people, especially from Chicago, which is 150 miles away. Oprah Winfrey has a home in the area."

The family-owned company recently received a special "Sesquicenten-nial Award" from the Michigan Lumber & Building Materials Association. Judd has been active in the association for years, as president in 1985 and as "Lumberman of the Year" in 2001.

"We are very pleased to received this l50th anniversary recognition," he said. "We grew with American pioneer spirit and Yankee determination."

His great-grandfather, Mark Judd, who was born in Connecticut, moved to Michigan and started his waterpowered planing mill on Dowagiac Creek in 1859. In 1886, his son William joined the business, which was then known as Judd Lumber, and a retail lumberyard was added three years later. In the 1950s, the store became the 3lst to join the new Do-It-Best co-op.

Richard Judd joined the business in 1963, after teaching at a nearby community college. When his father died in l916,he became president. Today, his three daughters are stockholders, but they don't work in the store.

The store's 11,000-sq. ft. showroom and 30900-sq. ft. warehouse sit on 20 acres. A rental store added five years ago stocks everything from contractor tools to a complete line of party supplies and equipment. The expanded kitchen and bath showroom draws both contractors and homeowners looking to build or renovate vacation homes in the area.

Although several big boxes are within driving distance-Lowe's is 15 miles away, Home Depot 20, Menards five-the 2O-employee company has managed to prosper. "It has been drilled into all our employees that outstanding customer service must be the cornerstone of our business," said Judd. "We pride ourselves on being a good community supporter."

After 150 years, he remains confident that the store will continue to succeed. "Running a business is always difficult, but we work hard to supply the best quality lumber and building materials to our customers, at consistently competitive prices."