Self Serve Lumber History
Self Serve Lumber can trace its roots back to Saginaw’s eastside in 1933. If was founded by Arthur Schwannecke and was then known as L. C. Smith Coal Co. Soon after in 1958 a new location was built on Atwater Street in Saginaw, and it included a home improvement line, and Reliable Lumber Co. was open.
As the business grew, a need was found to serve Saginaw’s west side. Self Serve Lumber Co. was then opened on Weiss Street in 1963. We soon found that convenience was the key. Self Serve Lumber Co. was open six days a week, including evenings and Saturdays. Over the years the product line has expanded greatly to serve our customers. Stores have continued to open starting in Saginaw and throughout the Mid-Michigan area. Currently, Self Serve Lumber & Home Center operates in 20 locations.
In 1984 we relocated the offices and warehouse to a 174,000 square foot facility (previously AT Ferrell) on 7 acres at S. Wheeler St. in Saginaw. The continuing expansion of our warehouse took place in 2008 when we purchased 11 acres (including the previously owned Caraustar warehouse) adjacent to our current property. Our buying team takes advantage of purchasing “closeouts & buybacks” when available thus allowing us and YOU an additional savings of 10-50% on what you might find on the same items elsewhere. Having these 18 acres (equivalent of 4 city blocks) of warehousing options along with our fleet of delivery trucks, gives us the ability to stock much of what you need, when you need it and the ability to purchase at value pricing to be passed on to our customers.
Self Serve Lumber & Home Center is the convenient, local alternative to the big box home stores. We are open seven days a week and offer the convenience of a drive-thru lumber yard. YOU drive into the yard, YOU load the lumber that YOU want directly into YOUR vehicle, and then YOU pay for YOUR load. It’s fast, simple, Self Serve! Our home centers have great deals on the same brand name home products that you use every day. Stop in and compare them. Just look for the Small Box with the Big Deals … we’re right around the corner.
