We have several departments, contractors sales, rentals, paint, tools, hardware, electrical, housewares, lawn and garden, automotive, plumbing and about any screw, bolt or nail you could need. Big John’s Lumber in Cedaredge is a unique combination of a full-service lumberyard and an ACE Hardware Store. Since 1904, the business has occupied the same location, so nearly everyone in the valley knows
where to find the products they want or need. Big John’s is open seven days a week, and deliveries go out Monday – Friday
throughout Delta and Montrose coun- ties. The loyal customer base includes many contractors who have turned to Big John’s since the 1980’s as well as private citizens who rely on the store and yard to supply emergency repair supplies or general household main-
tenance materials. In addition to a large inventory of building materials and a wide variety of hardware supplies, Big John’s of- fers a well-equipped rental shop, a screen repair shop, and general live- stock feed. Big John’s also keeps a box for American Flag disposal, a service offered by the local VFW. Many homeowners depend on Big John’s to supply Heartland wood pellets, and Big John’s will deliver entire pallets to homes throughout the county. As one of the few remaining independent lumberyards, Big John’s can make product changes easily. The management staff decides what and how much to offer for sale to both contractors and the general public. Scott Dickson and Matthew Head can advise and assist customers in choosing the most suitable building materials: siding and roofing products, Marvin windows and Doors, AMSCO windows, Thermatru doors, TREX decking, Delta Metal Products, Aristokraft Cabinets and more. The lumberyard stocks select structural lumber,
2 x 4 through 2 x 12, up to 20 feet long -- Rebar; Quikrete products; sheetrock; plywood and OSB; steel trims; mouldings; Foamboard; Certainteed insulation; cellulose insulation (as well as a blower for installation); pressure-treated lumber, 2x 4 thru 2 x 12, #2 pine boards; cedar boards; LVL, and all the nails and hardware to put a project together. Customers can also request estimates from the contractors services desk. When customers are ready to begin construction, the yard staff will help select and load purchases, or they will deliver building materials to the job site. For projects large or small, Big John’s offers what customers need to complete nearly every aspect of a building project. Big John’s Lumber is also a well stocked small-town hardware store. The store features a STIHL power equipment section with trimmers, chain saws and accessories. Home-owners will find a wide selection of lawn and garden products, including pavers, landscape timbers, fencing, and all of the regular departments customers expect from ACE. The Store and Yard carries $800,000 of
inventory including high-quality Benjamin Moore paints as well as ACE
paints, general hardware, plumbing and electrical supplies, hand and
power tools, pest-control products, household cleaning supplies, barbeque equipment, and various seasonal offerings. Shoppers rarely leave empty-handed. Providing customers with specific
products is important, and the staff at Big John’s will make every effort to find and order specialized merchandise, whether it is a building productor an item sold through ACE. If the store does not regularly supply an item a shopper needs, staff will order it for them. Acehardware.com is available and user-friendly for shoppers who prefer to shop online. Items can be purchased online and delivered to the store, or if the product is already in stock, shoppers can simply pay on-
line and pick up items the same day. Often, however, a short conversation with a sales clerk results in a discovery that the store already stocks the item a customer requires. Big Johns also offers Curbside pick up, Just ask. One of the best reasons to shop at
Big John’s is the experienced, helpful staff. The 21-25 employees, both part-time and full-time, work to create an enjoyable shopping experience. Several employees have been with the business for many years: Sharon Burnett, over 27 years; Dave Jacob, 21 years;
John Kimberlin, 18 years; Scott Dickson, 15 years; Bob Arnold, 11 years; Sarah Whelden, 10 years; Robert Denton, Kyle Matheson, and
Eli Leon, eight years or more. These long-term employees are able to offer what customers need and want: solid advice and experienced know-how. All employees strive to make customers feel welcome, keeping the store clean and sanitized President of the company, Susan
Kunkel, has been with the yard since 1979. She says it is the only job she has ever had. In the early 1950’s, Webb Bryson, her grandfather, and Warren Brewer, her great-uncle, owned and operated the yard and a sawmill in Cedaredge. Although actual ownership of the business has changed over the years, some member of the Brewer/Bryson family has remained connected to the management of the lumberyard and hardware store. Bill Bryson, Susan’s uncle, was the general manager in 1979 when he brought her into the business. Her first assignment was pulling down sale cards. Working her way up from there, in 2020 she was named president of the operation. Jeremy Lowry and Andy Abrams
and their families of Salt Lake City, Utah, saw the potential of Big John’s
and purchased the business and property in November of 2019! They
are very excited to be a part of the community and keep everything customers love about the store and yard operating at the same level of service all have come to know and appreciate and to help it grow for the future of its employees and the area. Keeping it an “essential business” for all of Delta County!
