When the Thompson family first began their lumber mill in the Lincoln Creek Valley of Centralia, they were committed to serving the needs of their customers. In the 1930s, the Depression shut down many of the area mills. Lincoln Creek Lumber found themselves in the resale lumber business, buying the stock of nearby closing mills and selling it to their own customers. Thinking outside the box kept their business alive and growing at a time when many others were unable to keep their doors open in difficult times.
The second location on Highway 99 opened in the 1940s in what was once rural Centralia. Modern day Centralia has grown to meet the store and now Lincoln Creek Lumber is located in town. The newest location, in Tumwater just off I-5 on 93rd Avenue, recently celebrated its grand re-opening during the first weekend of December. I visited the store during the event and purchased a set of Christmas lights for the newly cut tree atop the car. We enjoyed a turkey sandwich and found their selection of Christmas decor to be far better than one might expect at your local hardware store.
The completely redesigned new store is remodeled to accommodate several new product lines. The Ace Hardware dealer is now carrying Stihl lawn equipment, a line of Carhart clothing and a variety of barbecues, including the Traeger wood-fired grills and smokers and the famous Big Green Egg.
Each Ace Hardware location is independently operated. As a customer, you are benefitting from a large buying group that keeps prices low while supporting a local, family business. An Ace Hardware store employs far more people per square foot than a typical big box national chain store. For instance, Lincoln Creek Lumber employs over 100 people who live and work in the community throughout their four locations.
Bob Thompson, a fifth generation owner of Lincoln Creek, shared with me a few ways that they have managed to be so successful for over a century. “We have many trucks running all day delivering supplies from Bremerton to Woodland, Oregon.” Thompson told me. “We specialize in supplies for everyone from custom builders to individual homeowners.”
“Our employees are so knowledgeable and can help develop a supply list for almost any home project and we deliver,” Thompson tells me. Lincoln Creek Lumber can supply everything you need to build a house from framing lumber, decking, siding, and nails to windows, doors, and finish hardware. Lincoln Creek Lumber purchases much of its lumber from Pacific Northwest sources, such as Boise Cascade, Weyerhauser and Simpson.
Bob grew up in Centralia. He spent much of his childhood working in the stores. He began sweeping floors and by the age of 16 was working full-time when not in school. He attended the University of Washington Foster School of Business and worked in Seattle for a few years before moving back to the Olympia area. Today, Bob runs Lincoln Creek Lumber along with his 77-year-old father, who still comes into the office daily and is very much involved in daily operations.
Bob and his wife are raising 10-year-old twin daughters who love coming into the store. “They always end up in the nuts and bolts section,” he says. “Recently they built an entire chess set out of nuts and bolts, all the kings, queens and pawns were carefully created out of hardware from the store.” Taking care of family extends to their customers. “It is local people that support us and we want to support them,” Thompson adds.
Thompson loves living in the Pacific Northwest. “People have a great attitude about getting things done rain or shine,” says Thompson. The Thompson family also loves helping to make their community a better place. Each summer, we sponsor an event called Paint the Town. Those who need financial help to get their homes fixed up are chosen and the town comes together to make it happen. They also support Habitat for Humanity along with several local sports teams.
“I played high school baseball,” Thompson tells me. “Growing up in a small community, I recognize that youth sports can play a big part in keeping kids safe and out of trouble.” Lincoln Creek Lumber helps out with sponsorships that can provide everything from jerseys, soccer balls, footballs and cleats for local families.
Visit one of their three Lewis county locations for all your lumber and hardware needs.
Lincoln Creek Lumber
1621 Harrison Avenue
Centralia, WA 98521
360-736-8261
Market Street Ace Hardware
771 South Market Boulevard
Chehalis, WA 98532
360-345-1290
Palmer Lumber
370 NW State Avenue
Chehalis, WA 98532
360-748-8848
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