Arizona Family Business Prospers

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Hardware Co., Glendale, Az., June 13, 1959, he was thinking mostly of a small operation to supply materials for his home construction contracting business.

Today the business is run by a daughter and son with sales in excess of $5 million last year.

Daughter, Virginia Elliott Smith, whose title is secretary fteasurer, and son, Charles Elliott, vice president, are planning an expansion which will double the size of the existing store and offices.

The mother, also named Virginia, who holds the title of company president. is not active in the business although she "stops in occasionally to see how things are going." Mr. Elliott died in l97l.

Most of the business is with contractors although, located as it is near Youngtown and Sun City, large retirement communities. the store has considerable do-it-yourself trade.

FAMILY TEAM headed by Virginia Elliott, left, pres., and daughter Virginia Elliott Smith. sec./treas., with son Charles Elliott, v.p., carries on Grand Avenue Lumber and Hardware Co., Glendale, Az., which was founded by the late Robert Elliott.

They carry an extensive supply of hardware and tools.

Optimistic about the future, Virsinia points out that June was the first nionth anv slow-down in business was experienced by 0reir company. This continued through July but she says most contractors serviced by the organization ancitipate an upturn in business this fall. She notes that payments by contractors are a little slower than usual with many who normally pay on the tenth of the month in order to get their l%o discount forfeiting this and paying nearer month's end.

The best years the company has experienced, according to her, were 1973 and 1979. The worst was 1975 when business was off some 507o.

Now. she notes. one out of four houses being built by contractors supplied by Grand Avenue Lumber is of frame construction. Ten years ago practically all home construction in the area was of block.

Virginia feels that to be competitive in the lumber and hardware business today better displays of merchandise and more floor space are essential. She also feels that it is imperative that salespersons be able to answer the questions of customers

(Please turn to page 62)

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