Best Lumber Opens in Mesquite

Best Lumber in Mesquite, Nevada, says it opened in a very hot market. “It’s ‘only’ 107 degrees today,” says general manager Paul Brisley. “It’s not quite as bad as it has been.” Although business has been steadily increasing since they opened in mid-August, Brisley decided to hold off on the “official” opening until November’s cooler temperatures arrive, when customers will find it much more pleasant to stroll through the 30,000 square foot home center and pro lumber yard. The co-branded store has many of the recognizable earmarks of a Signature Store in the Do it Best Corp. family, including the large, colorful “lifestyle” photographs and images displayed in the store’s interior.

Brisley brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Back in Texas, Brisley served as the general manager of the largest pro lumber center in the Do it Best co-op at that time. Ownership changes, however, took it to a different co-op and Brisley said he quickly realized he wanted to go back to being part of the Do it Best Corp. organization. When he heard about the opportunity to help build a brand new business out in Nevada, where the nearest member store is 45 miles away, he saw a chance he couldn’t pass up.

“We can literally see the huge Do it Best Corp. retail service center (RSC) from our parking lot,” says Brisley. “Our customers not only have access to our well-stocked inventory selection, but they can order anything they see online, and have it in their hands quickly.”

Best Lumber is in the town of Mesquite, which has a population of about 20,000, though the “snowbirds” increase that number during winter months. Mesquite is a relatively new community, with a small-town atmosphere and a very clean, welcoming look. The new Best Lumber facility definitely offers the community options it has not had in the past. In bigger cities, Brisley says, you can find several specialty stores, focusing on bath fixtures, kitchens or plumbing--what Best Lumber’s 30,000 square foot home center offers customers is all of those items in one location. Not only will customers find flooring, cabinets, plumbing and other items, with the large lumber yard connected, they can find nearly anything they need without driving all over the Southwest to find it.

Brisley says customers are “super-excited” about the new store. And, while Mesquite is like many communities in the Southwest, experiencing a slow residential housing market, commercial building is still strong. A large lumberyard and home center mean local contractors can make one stop for all the things they need, rather than rely on traveling to other cities or having items shipped in from St. George, Utah, or Las Vegas. The proximity helps keep costs affordable and convenient for all of its customers. Local building practices will also help the store: if a structure is going to be less than three stories high, it can be framed in lumber, not in steel.

Best Lumber offers customers the best of product selection, plus some unique specialty areas, including a door mill, where the crew assembles complete doors and frames for builders or remodelers, in large quantities or small. They also offer an insulation installation service, which appeals to residents whose homes absorb a lot of heat in the stifling summer months. “We can go in and blow insulation that saves the homeowners a lot on energy costs,” says Brisley. “People are much more aware of the need to conserve now and they seem to find it a very useful service we provide.”

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