Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

East Bay Stores Rely On D-l-Y

Sluggish home sales and recession jitters don't seem to be seriously affecting the home centers in the East Bay region of Northern California. While sales have flattened slightly, customers keep piling carts fullof repair and remodeling materials.

It's do-it-yourselfers who keep the business robust, says Maynard Jenkins, president andceoof Orchard Supply Hardware, headquartered in San Jose. "ln tough times, people may not remodel the bathroom, but they're going to fix the faucets," he said.

His store is encouraging do-ityourself customers by teaching them how to fix things. Customer clinics tackle everything from repairing faucets to fixing toilets and operating power tools.

The Home Depot in San Leandro has built bleachers to accommodate those attending their free classes and workbenches. "We try to grow our customers into do-it-yourselfers."