A very original lumber yard

ll ART curio shop and all lumber F yard, Deer Creek Lumber Co., Rocklin. Ca.. has made its name as a museum of the miscellaneous.

Brothers Pete and Gene Gieck have run the business for 33 years, along the way collecting an odd array of objects to display. The decor features deer antlers, shark teeth, mounted animals from Pete's hunting trips, railroad spikes, golf clubs, old Coca-Cola platters, rifles and ammo, election pins, a banjo and a peace pipe.

Fading, peeling bumper stickers advertising everything from Coors beer to Sen. Cranston are plastered everywhere. Between the paint cans and plumbing fixtures stands a wooden Indian, holding Lotto tickets and wearing a checkered shirt and an "lt's a great day for the lrish" pin.

Current to 20-year-old sports schedules and results shellacked onto wood surround the cash register. Above hangs a diverse hat collection.

An old wooden outhouse sits in the driveway, with a l94l gold Cadillac off to the side. Some theorize there are more items collected for display than are up for sale.

And things keep building up as people continue to drop offor mail in items from as far away as Nebraska and Montana. "We don't buy anything and we don't give up anything," Pete said.

Story at a Glance

Small town dealer's store has personal ity plus, but competition from chains hurts... company can be bought, including the outhouse in the driveway.

There is no computer to keep track of inventory, but an ancient L.C. Smith typewriter does rest on the porch. And there are no neon signs out front - though a handcarved wooden panel with cracking yellow paint says, "Yep, we're open til 6:00."

Unfortunately, business has been down considerably ever since the large hardware chains began creeping in on Deer Creek. "Everyone says this store is neat, and then they buy the stuff down the street," said Pete.

Developers are also attracting more affluent, more sophisticated homeowners to town. So Gene isn't surprised that the newer residents, who live in northwest Rocklin, don't shop at Deer Creek, which is on the other side of town. "We don't advertise, so they probably don't know we're here," he said. "We're the best kept secret in town."

So, "too old to learn new tricks," the brothers plan on retiring when a steadier market allows them to sell the business. "These are hard times," said Pete. "But we won't be here in another five years. We're getting too old for that. If some rich chap came in here and offered us enough money, we'd be out of here tomorrow."

The buyer will get a one-of-a-kind lumber yard, outhouse included.

Lap Siding Wins Ghallenge

Oregon Strand Board's Comply Lap Siding challenged traditional cedar siding at the Portland Construction Specifications Institute's l99l Products Fair, April25 in Portland, Or., with two teams racing to side an eight foot section of wall.

The Oregon Strand Board team pitted a crew of one against two men using traditional cedar. Even with only one person applying it, the Comply Lap Siding was installed l/3 faster than traditional cedar.

Since Comply can be handled and installed by just one person, that's a 67% savings in labor costs, an Oregon Strand Board spokesman explained, with lower price and reduced waste cutting material costs 540/0. Additionally, because of its strength, stud requirements can be reduced as much as 300/0. Sheathing costs are also eliminated.

According to Oregon Strand Board's Joe Maliszewski, "The superior qualities of Comply Lap Siding are evident. It has a solid core, is durable, easier to install and produces less waste. Cedar siding on the other hand splits, cracks, and produces high waste."

"Comply Lap Siding's unique tongue and groove feature makes it easy, convenient and cost effective to use. Using Comply Lap Siding eliminates the time consuming processes of cutting to length and spacing end joints," said Ken Kiest, Oregon Strand Board general manager. "lt's easy to handle lengths and simplicity of application mean a building can be covered with Lap Siding much faster than with traditional siding. This saves significant time and money, reduces waste and doesn't sacrifice a traditional wood appearance."

Made from Comply, two layers of wood fiber sandwiched between three layers of Douglas fir veneer, the siding is rated stronger and more durable than other siding products. It is guaranteed not to delaminate. Oregon Strand Board, a division of Jeld-Wen Inc.. is located in Brownsville, Or.

Free Dealer Sales Seminar

A marketing seminar designed to help dealers develop effective marketing tools for selling during tough times is being offered free by

CertainTeed Corp.'s Vinyl Siding division.

Divided into two parts, the two and a half hour seminar begins with product knowledge and how to capitalize on selling quality products. Generating sales leads, earning referrals, using in-home sales aids and consultative selling are covered. A video presentation shows how other dealers approach marketing during tough selling times.

Information about the seminar is available from 1 -800-233-8990.

Nordeck Honored By U.S.

Enita Nordeck, president and owner of Unity Forest Products, Yuba City, Ca., was awarded The Small Business Person of the Year award for l99l on May 14 in Yuba City. Over 50 city, county, state and U.S. officials were present along with Wells Fargo Bank officials who hosted the event.

The award is given annually by the U.S. Small Business Administration to a business owner for his/her outstanding achievements in business. During the ceremony, Nordeck was honored by the City of Yuba City for her contribution and assistance to the efforts to expand and diversify the local economy.

In addition, she received a proclamation from the mayor for her active and staunch support of the educational needs of the youth in the area.

At the same time Sutter Countv

Board of Supervisors presented Nordeck with a special recognition award for her service to the community.

Particleboard/M DF Shipments

Particleboard and medium density fiberboard producers in the U.S. reported combined industry shipments of 4,756 million sq. ft., 3/4" basis, in 1990.

At l.5olo less than the 1989 record, this was the first decline since 1982, according to the National Particleboard Association.

Shipments from the 46 mat- formed particleboard plants were 3.806 MMSF. 52 MMSF less than 1989. Industrial shipments were 7 MMSF less.

Underlayment shipments of 343 MMSF showed a 5.20/o increase over 1989, reversing a decline begun in 1985. Mobile home decking shipments dropped 2 MMSF.

After increasing more than I l7% since 1982, MDF shipments fell 2.lo/o from 1989 with 950 MMSF shipped by l3 plants in 1990. Calculated average FOB mill price for particleboard in 1990 was $216 per thousand sq. ft., 3/4" basis.