Hardwood stores prosper with hobby trade

aITHE HOBBYIST business is I almost recession proof," says Bill Cockroft in explaining the continued prosperity of Hardwoods of Memphis and its new branch Hardwoods of Nashville. "People may give up a lot during a recession, but a golfer, a fisherman, a woodworker is going to keep his hobby."

It's a good thing, too, Cockroft continues, because his other, older and larger, lumber ventures are going through a rough period as the economy slows down.

Charles Morris, manager of Cockroft's retail division, says, "Our sales volume probably has doubled that of last year. We have put a lot of effort into building our retail business and more and more people come in who never have visited us. About one-third of those walking into Hardwoods of Memphis are doing so for the first time."

Hobby wood craftsmen and women keep on buyrng, according to Morris. "When they need material they buy it. Many never intend to sell the items they make. They make them for fun, but other familymembers and friends want them. So they start making items to sell. Hardwoods of Memphis hasn't felt the effects of inflation or recession."

Bill Cockroft, founder of Cockroft Lumber Co., Memphis, Tn., Hardwoods of Memphis and Hardwoods of Nashville, traces his interest in wood back to his Boy Scout days and forestry merit badges. This early beginning was assisted by a forestry degree from Louisiana State University and a long record of employment in the wood business.

Starting in college and continuing after graduation, he worked for C.M. Gooch LumberCo., Memphis, gaining experience in lumber inspection, logging and sales. Later, with other employers, he bought and sold lumber and squares as well as hardwood and particleboard. In 196l he joined his brother Bob to found Cockroft Lumber Co. When Bob bought Southern Star Lumber Co. in McKenzie, Tn., in 1969, Bill took over the ownership of Cockroft.

Over the years the operation has grown to include a Z)-acre distribution yard, a hardwood concentration yard in Bolivar, Tn. (Liberg Lumber Co.), and headquarters on Jackson

Story at a Glance

Hobbyists buy despite reces. sion . . hardwood store fol craftsmen prospers . addi. tional units, mail order busl. ness in future.

Ave. in Memphis. The product line includes hardwood, both foreign and domestic, particleboard, fiberboard, dimension lumber, turnings and squares. Services include a planing facility, kiln services and its own truck fleet.

Hardwoods of Memphis, located at the Jackson St. site, was founded to offer the hobbyist and woodworker the oppornrnity to sclect and buy fine hardwoods in small quantities. With its own display r(x)m, a 12,(n0 sq. ft. warehousc and 2,(XX) sq. ft. office on two acres, the retail unit operates as a separate entity.

The popularity of Hardwoods of Memphis resulted in the opening of the second store in Nashville. There is talk of opening two more rcail units in Little Rock and Jackson.

ln both stores woods are attractively displayed and labeled with each board individually priced. Hobbyists can find the wood they need whether it is for a fine piece of furniture, a carving, inlay, chess piece or duck call. Woods range from afromosia to zebra wood with lots in between. Veneers are big scllcrs with the store stocking 25 to 30 varietics. This large stock generates considcrable sales volume with prefinishers and antique dealers.

To help the hobbyisl5 visualizs what the frnished product will look like, each type of wood is shownina surfaced and finished sample. Descriptions of the wood's characteristics also are available. Of the 60 woods stocked, t09o of the sales are in20s/o of the woods.

The stores also carry woodcraft books, clamps, carving tools, wood

Special lssue: Hardwood

glue, furniture finishes, woods for musical instruments and other woodcraft items. Super Shop, a multipurpose wood and metal working machine, also is sold.

Under consideration for future expansion is a mail order business. The company already has mail order and catalog services and may make a strong move into selling by mail in the future, according to Morris. This would serve a need since Hardwoods of Memphis and Nashville are the only stores of this type for many miles around.