A PTEDGE TO OUR RETAIT GUSTOMERS

The industry as we've known it for so many years has changed.

The traditional and ethical lines of distribution are disappearing - EXCEPT HERE!

We pledge to you the FINEST SERVIGE availableanywhere in the U.S.A. We pledge to you a SUALITY PRODUCT at competitive prices.

We pledge the very best in SALES PERS0NNEL. We pledge to you the SUPPORT of our entire compan!; Seventy-five people in all, from our offices in Eugene, 0regon, and Grass Valley, Galifornia, to our Cargo facility on Terminal lsland, California, to our headquartefs in Ghino.

AND MOST IMPORTANT;

We pledge to you that WE WILL NOT SELL YOUR CUSTOMERS. Thank you for your support.

Publisher Emeritus A.D.

Editor-Publisher David Cutler

Associate Editor

Juanita Lovret

Cdntributing Editors

Dwight Curran

Gage McKinney

Al Kerper

Art Director Martha Emerv

Staff Artist Lillian Kelly

Clrculrdon

Marge Anderson

The Merchant Magazine (USPS 796-560 is published monthly at 4500 Campus Dr., Suite 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660, phone 1714[ 549-s393. bv The Meichant Magazine, Inc.- Second-class postage rates paid at Newport Beach. Ca.. and additional offices. Advertising rates upon request. ADVERTISING OFFICES

FROM WASHINGTON STATE & IDAHO: contact John V. MacKav. 157 Yesler Wav. Suite 317. Seattle.'Wa. 98104. Phohe (o06\ 621:1031.

FROM NON,THTRN CALIFORNIA & OREGON: contact David Cutler. 4500 Campus Dr.. Suite 480, Newport Beach. Ca. 92660. Phone 014\ 5498393.

FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: CON. tact Carl Yann, 205 Oceano Dr., Los Angeles, Ca. 90049. Phone (213) 472- 3lF or 1714) 549-8393.

FROM THE MIDWEST: contact Charles L. Lemoerlv. 1230 Brassie Ave.. Flossmoor. ll. 60422. Phone Qt2\ 799-2166.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Change of Address-Send subscription orders and address changes to Circulation Dept., The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., Suite 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660. Include address label from recent issue if possible. plus new address and zip code. Subscription RatesU.S. and Canada: $6-one year; $g-two yearsl $12-three years. Foreign: $14-one year; $20-two years.Single copies $1.25. Back copies $2.50 when available.

THE MERCHANT MAGAZINE is an independently-owned publication.for the retail, wholesale and distribution levels of the lumber, build: ing materials and home improvement business in the I3 Western states,

When the developers of Marina Pacifica Village in Long Beach, California decided on the extensive use of woods as a means of creating a comfortable, easyto-maintain environment for its many exclusive shops and restaurants, LamLoc Decking was a natural. The wide variety of species, sizes and grades, stocked in our Los Angeles dishibution yard, allowed the designers to achieve the desired effect and select the most economical type for each application in the complex. The immediate availability of our Western red and Pecky-Cedar, construction lumber and cost-saving Hemlock were other reasons why the dealer serving this conbactor was able to get a major share of the business. This kind of profitable project is available to you when you call Fountain /irsf. Ed Fountain Lumber Company, 6218 South Hooper Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90001, (213) 583-1381.

ED FOUNTAIN LUMBER COMPANY

DAVID CUTLER ed tor- publ s her EDITOR[AT

Hardwood to the rescue

flNE of our favorite fall rituals is to troop Ythrough the auto shows and the car dealers' showrooms to see the shiny new models from the world's car producing countries.

One eye-catching feature that is virtually universal for those impractical, fun machines we would all really like to own is the use of genuine, real, no-way plastic, honest-to-God hardwood. From gold-plated replicar to Rolls Royce, one feature that sets apart the head turner from the economv box on wheels is the use of real hardwood.

Gone are the days when hardwood was extensively used, even in the production of high volume cars. When the use of steel bodies became widespread in the early 1930s, door frames, jambs, cowl members and a variety of other hidden parts continued to be made of hardwood. Following World War II, hardwood was relegated, almost without exception, to use in those great looking "woodies" that are still eagerly sought out by collectors. And who could resist a Chrysler Town & Country convertible, top seductively laid back, flanks gleaming with varnished oak, framed by glistening lacquer paint in Forest Green?

But in all this there seems to be a paradox. As hardwoods have become far easier and cheaper to preserve from all the dings and bumps of life, the use of hardwoods has declined to a trim only item for a handful of cars in the economic stratosphere. With a variety of coatings, preservatives, treatments and protective shields giving space age toughness to today's hardwood, it seems odd that someone hasn't seen fit to make another drive on Detroit to try and bring back the beauty and look of quality that only true hardwood can give. In a time when cars are so similar in appearance, the use of a beautiful hardwood would be a striking sales feature in a world of dreary black vinyl interiors.