Retail Wood stores closing [Archive] - Sawmill Creek Woodworking Community

Lewis Perry

07-07-2007, 10:28 PM

Richard Butler

07-07-2007, 10:30 PM

Central Hardwoods

Jim Summers

07-07-2007, 11:02 PM

Hogan hardwoods in Oklahoma City has closed its retail outlet--no more walking in and selecting a piece of wood. :mad: And I was getting ready to visit the "Curly Wood" store in McKinny Tx. and thought I had better call before I made the drive to make sure they were open and I find out they were closing the doors for good the next day.:mad: Now my choices as to where I can buy nice project wood is really limited. Any suggestions in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area?

I recently discovered the closing of Hogan's in OKC. I did stumble onto another yard in OKC ( thanks google ), it is called Phoenix Hardwood and Plywood

http://www.phoenixhardwood.com/index.html

I haven't been able to make a trip there yet, hopefully next week. They are not open on weekends.

I talked to a guy on the phone and he seemed to know wood and plywood. I don't think they have a store like Hogan's did, but he did say you can go out in the yard and select the pieces.

I'll let you know what I find when I get to make a trip there.

HTH

Lewis Perry

07-07-2007, 11:10 PM

Jim Summers

07-07-2007, 11:20 PM

Yes I've been to Phoenix Hardwoods several times--nice guys and I have bought from them but they really cater more to the production cabinet shops. There is also Central hardwoods in OKC but the same is true for them--they will not allow anyone to select or "dig through" their stacks--you take it as it comes off the stack.

Thanks. It seems like the guy I talked to did say I could dig through the top three rows of a stack. I wonder how McIntire or McIver or whomever the new owner of the Hogan's yard will be? I know that there is a $100.00 minimum.

Thanks again

Brad Counts

07-08-2007, 12:42 AM

I'm in Ada, OK and have experienced the same problem. I called Hogan's about 2 weeks ago and the guy was very "down" and said he didn't know how much longer they would be open but couldn't really talk about it. Then I discovered Curly Woods in McKinney, TX and just like you, I called before I headed down and found out they were closing.

I am in need of a pretty hefty volume of Tiger Wood (Goncalo Alves) to panel the entry way to our new house. I am looking at ordering it from InternetLumber.com. They have great prices for 1000bf quantities but I seldom ever need this much. I did go into Central Hardwoods in OKC a while back and they were quite friendly but they really only deal in Poplar and Oak. They seemed to be focused on MDF and plywoods.

If you guys discover someone in our region I would sure appreciate letting me know. I will do the same.

Carl Crout

07-08-2007, 8:38 AM

How about Gray's Sawmill in Durant? Has anyone tried them?

http://www.redriverok.com/sawmill/index.html

Mike Cutler

07-08-2007, 9:02 AM

I was getting ready to visit the "Curly Wood" store in McKinny Tx. and thought I had better call before I made the drive to make sure they were open and I find out they were closing the doors for good the next day.

??? Have they closed just the brick and mortar retail portion of their business? and will continue online sales? If not, that's a shame. Mike had a very nice mail order wood operation there. Excellent product and service.
I notice that the website is still up.

Jim O'Dell

07-08-2007, 9:03 AM

Hey guys, has the Hogans in Grand Prairie/Arlington closed their retail operation also? I know they shut down the little store in SE Fort Worth when the company sold and split stores.
Brad, I don't know about those particular species, but Barney Robinsons and R E Sweeney (RES Door) in Fort Worth have some hardwoods. I've bought Ash from Robinsons, and Ash trim items from Sweeney. Try Toolseeker's lumber source pages: http://www.toolseeker.com/lumber.htm
They show several places in Dallas for hardwoods.
Brad, how long have you lived in Ada? I was born and grew up there. Left when I graduated high school in '74 and came to Texas for college. Many of my class mates still live there, as well as my FIL and his wife. The little train at Wintersmith Park was built in my Dad's shop back in the late 50's by a group if guys from the Kiwanis Club. Glad to see someone in Ada doing wood working. Jim.

Jim O'Dell

07-08-2007, 9:20 AM

According to Hogan's web site, the Texas stores are gone also. They do still show a location in Little Rock. Maybe that would be an alternative for the OK crowd.
There were 2 companies that purchased the Hogan stores. Seems like one was Austin Hardwoods, but who was the other?
And Lewis, sorry I didn't even notice you were from Stratford. My Grandparents lived in Pickett for a while after they sold the concrete plant in Ada. And I have a SIL and her husband and 2 little ones that live in Pauls Valley. Man you guys need to stop this! I'm feeling old this morning remembering all the old times!!! :D :D Jim.

Pat Germain

07-08-2007, 10:03 AM

I'm sorry to hear another OK retailer has gone under. Poor Oklahoma. It seems economic prosperity eludes just about everyone and everything there. :(

I went to high school in a little town called Perkins. It's near Stillwater where my parents and brother now live. When my family visits Colorado, they are thrilled at the retail choices we have. Stillwater has come a very long way in this area over the past twenty years, but it's still very different from most metropolitan areas.

My brother is a truck driver. He hauls large oak logs from NE OK to Stillwater where his employer cuts them. Here's the bad news. His employer sells the oak to restaurants where they burn it. :eek: Apparently, this is a quite profitable venture. Funny how there's more money in burning wood then making in furniture with it.

Brad Counts

07-08-2007, 1:27 PM

How about Gray's Sawmill in Durant? Has anyone tried them?

http://www.redriverok.com/sawmill/index.html

Yes, Called them and nice lady said they only deal in lumber harvested locally and they don't have a kiln.

Brad Counts

07-08-2007, 1:44 PM

Don't feel too sorry for Oklahoma. Just ask Gearge Shinn the owner of the New Orleans Hornets. They played in OKC for the last two years and tried everything except suing the NBA to stay in Oklahoma. The first season our attendance ranked 9th out of 32 teams and the team made money for the first time in a long while. We ranked 11th (beating the LA Lakers) last year even though it was a fact that the Hornets were leaving and the team stunk up the place.

In Ada where I live there are 13 new housing additions with construction going crazy. The Town of Durant is now the fastest growing city in the US with a population under 50k.

We'll never have the population of the Northeast or California (Thanks God). Living in a semi-rural area does have it shortcomings - like not having close access to all the retail - but I would not trade for anywhere.

Thanks to all for the links. Dallas - Ft. Worth is just down the road (2-1/2 hours) looks like that's where I'll being heading to in the future for my hardwoods.

Chris Holder

07-08-2007, 2:56 PM

Sweeney has a good selection in DFW, but they are less prone to let you sift through their wood pile. Also, Barney Robinson hardwoods. Both are in Fort Worth near downtown.

Brian Clevenger

07-08-2007, 3:32 PM

I hate to hear the condition of my favorite state. I keep hoping that someday I'll be able to move back, but I can't earn a living back home.

Brian - Born in Oklahoma City, Graduated HS in Ardmore and OSU alum.

Pat Germain

07-08-2007, 6:13 PM

Don't feel too sorry for Oklahoma. Just ask Gearge Shinn the owner of the New Orleans Hornets. They played in OKC for the last two years and tried everything except suing the NBA to stay in Oklahoma. The first season our attendance ranked 9th out of 32 teams and the team made money for the first time in a long while. We ranked 11th (beating the LA Lakers) last year even though it was a fact that the Hornets were leaving and the team stunk up the place.

In Ada where I live there are 13 new housing additions with construction going crazy. The Town of Durant is now the fastest growing city in the US with a population under 50k.

I'm glad to hear that, Brad. Seems all I ever hear out of OK is bad news lately. Although, my dad was telling me about the Hornets playing in OKC. Too bad they went back to NOL.

Lamar Horton

07-08-2007, 8:31 PM

Hogan's of Grand Prairie is now Brazos Lumber. They still have their store, but are closed on Saturdays now. Austin Hardwoods is a good place in the Dallas area.

Jim O'Dell

07-08-2007, 9:05 PM

Thanks Lamar. I almost took a detour on the way back from Dallas today to see, but it was after 1:00 and we hadn't had lunch yet. :eek: :eek: Guess which voice won out??:D Jim.

Jim Summers

07-09-2007, 11:45 PM

Hello,

I was able to make a run today to check out Phoenix. They had a good selection of basic hardwoods and were real patient with me as I picked through some 5/4 hard maple. They had different alders and cherry. Didn't have time to check plywood though.

HTH

Barry Beech

07-10-2007, 10:54 AM

Steve Clardy

07-10-2007, 11:40 AM

A friend of mine works at Hogan's in LR, AR. I do know that Hogan's has been having some trouble. They bought a company some time ago and the integration didn't go very well. Their sales have had a pretty big drop and they have been downsizing.

:(

The word from a salesman that comes to my shop, was that Hogan's bought numerous Frank Paxton's Stores a year or 2 ago.
Maybe they overloaded themselves:confused:

James Carmichael

07-10-2007, 2:30 PM

Hogan's gone? Ah, man, first the Kennedale store, and now gone altogether. That leaves us with Austin Hardwoods in Irving and Barney Robinson in Ft. Worth.

Been meaning to check out this place, I found them on woodweb, they're near Sanger, which shouldn't be too bad for you Sooners:

http://www.woodsofmissiontimber.com/

James Carmichael

07-10-2007, 2:35 PM

R E Sweeney (RES Door) in Fort Worth have some hardwoods. Jim.

Hmm, every time I've called Sweeny, they've said their commercial, only.

Austin Hardwoods is still, IMO, the best place in the D/FW area for hardwood selection.

Jim O'Dell

07-11-2007, 2:25 PM

Michael, they have a door company, and another store front that sells mouldings. I've walked in a bought stuff, no questions asked. Granted it has been about 5 years and they may have changed their policies.
Just for grins, I saw a truck on the way home for lunch a few minutes ago that said "Latson's Custom Millwork, Inc. Fort Worth Texas" Might be a possible place for something special you need, or maybe information about where wood is available from. Sorry, couldn't remember the phone number long enough to get it written down. Jim.

Chuck Lenz

07-11-2007, 2:42 PM

I think it's just a sign of the times to come allover the country. My thoughts are most people aren't willing to pay for quality anymore, especially those who don't have the funds, and the younger generation isn't going to have the time, they may do the HGTV thing and work on their home, but I doubt you'll see much hobby work out there from them. Even craft shows are haveing a hard time finding vendors nowdays.

Eddie Watkins

07-11-2007, 4:10 PM

Lewis,
How's the peaches this year? There is Yukon Door & Plywood which will order anything you want finished any way you want (S2S, S4S, molded, etc). Central Hardwood will also order most of your regular wood, cherry, mahogany, oak, maple, pine. There is also a Woodcraft store at N May & Britton Road that carries the exotics like bubinga, zebrawood, rose wood, etc. as well as the usual oaks, mahogany, cherry, maple. I'm not sure what quantities they carry but I'm sure they can get any amount you want. Fox Lumber at 89th & S Shields carries a lot of your standard stuff as does Forest Lumber at Reno & May Ave by the fairgrounds. YOu might call ahead and see what they have. I, like you, had relied on Paxton's, then Hogan's, for the unusual woods and have not really bought anything too unusual lately so I'm not sure what the other places carry. Maybe I'll open my own store since I will be retiring shortly.:rolleyes:

Eddie

Eddie

Steve Jenkins

07-11-2007, 7:29 PM

There are a couple places in Dallas that will let you dig through the stacks
Hardwood lumber Co. of Dallas. they are on Goodnight Lane and their number is 972 869-1230.
Also Austin Hardwoods. I think their new name is Blue Linx or something like that. Their number is 972 241-4777. They are located on Mathis which is off Royal lane in NW Dallas

Randy Denby

07-11-2007, 9:53 PM

Steve, I've bought quitealot from Austin Hardwoods over the years (I always buy in quantity since I'm about 130 miles away) How does Austin compare to Hardwood lumber co. onprice/choice,etc? Thanks, Randy

Dan Linehan

07-11-2007, 10:25 PM

Nice to see that there are a few Okies out there! As you might guess, retail hardwood suppliers are in somewhat short supply here- my out of state suppliers (Sweeney, Groff&Groff,Talarico,etc.) make light of it every time I call. Losing Hogan's certainly will be felt, but their pricing probably helped sink that ship. For those who might need a local/in-state supplier you might try Norman Door & Plywood - lately they have been making a strong effort to accomodate "specialty" customers (i.e. furniture makers) with a broader selection of hardwoods on a special order basis.

Again, good to hear from woodworkers in Oklahoma- it seems so awful lonesome sometimes!

Charley Smith

07-19-2007, 9:43 PM

Hogans sold their TX branches due to financial collapse of their corporate structure... or you could just say bad business/personal decisions, they sold out to Bailie Lumber... Bailie changed the name to Brazos forest products so as not to disrupt their wholesale business... in other words Bailie is selling wholesale and direct (to their customers' customers). but dont tell anyone that cause the big vendors wouldnt like it.... The Hogan OKC yard is most likely to be changing hands as well. Hogan can not maintain the debt and is offing everything that they can to generate cash flow at this point. Mike McKinely is said to be buying the OKC yard... he has been part of the team up there for some time... he is a good guy and very knowledgeable...

as far as DFW area Brazos is still operating the retail stores as was the word today when i called... they will have a lot of to choose from...there is also Sweeney(res door).... blue linx not to sure they will let you pick through there stuff though... there is Nall Lumber/Nall Millwork in Saginaw/Ft Worth...

Melvin or McFadden & Associates... Sitco Lumber...(should have lots of exoctics...)

Jim O'Dell

07-19-2007, 10:21 PM

Welcome to the Creek, Dan and Charley!
Charley, you posted a couple names I hadn't heard of here in the Ft. Worth area. Thanks!
Jim.

Dan West

07-19-2007, 10:35 PM

There are a couple mom and pop places, literally. Edmond Door and Plywood and Yukon Door and Plywood have a limited amount of hardwoods. The Edmond store has red oak, poplar, and I think soft maple. The Yukon store carries some cherry, oak and I am not sure what else. Their prices are good in my opinion. Lumber is becoming scarce in OKC, I needed some 8/4 oak and Central had some but the smallest board they had was 12 inches wide and 15 feet long which was about 8 times too much. I know they'll be happy to sell to you but I think they are mainly in business for the production shops.

Dan

Eddie Watkins

07-23-2007, 12:57 PM

Ray Dockrey

07-23-2007, 6:55 PM

Just an update. I was at the Woodcraft store in OKC Friday and they had really increased the amount and varieties of stock they carry. The manager/owner said they had increased their stock to fill the void left by the loss of Hogan's. He also said he had more in the stockroom.

EddieThe problem with that is they are a little pricey. I mean it is nice in a pinch but they wanted $4.50 a board foot for Red Oak the other day. I called Yukon Door and Plywood and they wanted $2.25. A huge difference.

Eddie Watkins

07-23-2007, 10:04 PM

The problem with that is they are a little pricey. I mean it is nice in a pinch but they wanted $4.50 a board foot for Red Oak the other day. I called Yukon Door and Plywood and they wanted $2.25. A huge difference.

Ray,
I agree, I'm just trying to provide information to Lewis and others so they can make their own decisions.

Eddie

Charley Smith

07-23-2007, 11:32 PM

I think Nall lumber in the Ft Worth area has some decent prices on their oak...
last i heard they had an abundance of short 4-6' material in plain sawn and Qtr sawn red oak and white oak... they dont sell much plywood though... mainly just lumber... but they have a pretty big mill from what i understand and can mill it for you as well...

just my 2 cents....

Phil Thien

07-24-2007, 9:12 AM

Robert Mayer

07-24-2007, 3:22 PM

I live in Tulsa and regularly go to Johnson sawmill. Its in Spavinaw, about an hour east of Tulsa. Good selection and cheap. His inventory can change from time to time so you never know what he has. Has tons of oak and maple cheap. He always has a few exotics that I have never heard of. If anyones interested I can find their website.

Eddie Watkins

07-24-2007, 5:25 PM

Were the grades the same?

Phil,
I really haven't bought any oak at WC but the oak I buy at the other places usually is 6"-8" wide by 10' by 4/4 or 8/4 and has relatively few knots. i usually get it S2S for aound $2-2.50 bf. I consider it first and seconds but I'm not an expert by any means. I have on occasion bought it 10" wide for the same price.

Eddie

Charley Smith

07-25-2007, 9:44 AM

Phil,
I really haven't bought any oak at WC but the oak I buy at the other places usually is 6"-8" wide by 10' by 4/4 or 8/4 and has relatively few knots. i usually get it S2S for aound $2-2.50 bf. I consider it first and seconds but I'm not an expert by any means. I have on occasion bought it 10" wide for the same price.

Eddie

If you are paying 2.50 retail for "seconds" you are getting gouged on 4/4... the 8/4 is different... but saying that... you cant call a few knots in a 8-10" x10' board a second either...

also... if the mill is buying the material true RW they are not paying more for the 10" ... even though most people start marking up at this point there are still some that will give you the true RW product for the same mark up...