Lumber Dealer grows with area

LL ACROSS the West hundreds of picturesque small communities survive from the mid 1800s when families from the East settled and named an area. Although most grew slightly when the railroad arrived, they exist today with populations in the low thousands.

Businesses in these villages have changed hands over the years, some floundering and some flourishing. An outstanding example of survival and expansion with the growth of an area is Fallbrook Lumber Co., started in 1946 by O.P. "Bill" and Alice Heald when Fallbrook, Ca., was known as "The Friendly Village," just another wide spot in the road, then old Highway 395.

With faith in the area, which lies about 60 miles north of San Diego by freeway, they ran the yard as a family business. Son Otie helped out and joined in the business in 1969. At that time the community was tiny and the yard grossed about $500,00O annually. As Otie gpt the feel of the lumber business thb yard started to grow and today grosses over ten times that amount. In January 1977 he became owner and president of the concern. Later that same year his dad passed away.

As the population of Fallbrook's area has grown to approximately 20,000 with a trade area of 35,000, the company has grown too, adding personnel and equipment. The trading area has been extended into Riverside County, about eight miles north, as well as to northern San Diego County.

To keep up with the growth, the yard was moved early this spring to a new 7-acre plant at 999 E. Mission in Fallbrook. With an 18,000 sq. ft. building, many new lines were added to the inventory including paint, plumbing, and electrical. The builders hardware, door, hand and electric tools, moulding and other departments were expanded.

A flavor of the early history of the area remains in the sales department which is decorated with antique tools. Mounted on the walls,

Lumber yard grows with community .. caters to business mix ... owner takes active part in civic, charitable organizations ... good neighbor as well as a good merchant.

which are paneled with I x 4 cedar, the tools have been contributed by the community as well as the Heald family.

Otie and his wife, Linda, have three sons, O.P. "Tres," Eric and Peter. Otie is extremely active in civic affairs in Fallbrook. He is past president of both the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary, a past board member of the Boys' Club, one of the leaders of the Historical Society and a contributor to almost every youth group in town as well as other worthy causes. Linda also is active in civic and charity organizations. The three boys take part in the youth sports programs.

An avid hunter and outdoorsman, Otie has expanded his business activities into other enterprises. He continues to oversee all operations of F.L.C. on a daily basis although Bill Evans manages the store with Donn Gunvalson as buyer. Employees now number about 30.

Although Otie modestly attributes his success in business to luck, it is easy to see that he follows a time proven method for success. He strives for better service and competitive pricing with his operation keyed to the business mix of 2090 retail, 7090 builder-contractor. He keeps the store open from 7:30 to 5

Monday through Friday, and 7:30 to 4 on Saturday. The doors are closed on Sunday.

In addition to keeping up with his business, Otie and his family have concentrated on the community, taking part in the activities, and making the residents aware of them as friends and neighbors as well as merchants, a sure-fire formula for success.

ANTI0UE decorate the sales deoartment at Fallbrook Lumber Co.'s new building. Larger quarters made it possible to expand and add inventory, including paint, hardware, tools, paneling, plumbing, and electrical as shown in other views.