"The Quiet Giant"

explained Sam Sandobal, manager. "Laying tile is the most popular course, but we're hoping to teach people to be able to construct a house."

Home Depot, which will open stores in Pleasanton in December, Concord in January and Union City next summer, aims to have l4 stores in the East Bay by next year. "We're pretty recession resistant," said Lonnie Fogel. "ln downturns, folks do their own repairs. Or they buy their own materials and get contractors who lower their rates in recessionary times."

HomeClub, Grossman's and Pay 'N Pak units in the area also seem to be persevering. "These companies appear to be able to survive in a variety of economic conditions," said Doug Rossiter, Management Horizons, Columbus, Oh.

He considers the industry to be in good shape because of the high number of families with two wage earners, an aging stock of homes that need fixing up and a relatively high disposable income among homeowners. Because many home repair products are non-discretionary, good sales are possible even in a weak economy.

Thot's How lt Goes!

"Which lumber company shall I coll? The one that gets the order right but is never on time or the one that's on time but screws up the order ? "

ALCO'S reversible, redwood paneling for walls and ceilings combines natural beauty with two truly classic architectural pafterns. Redwood beaded panelrng. reminiscent of the days when family life centered around a country kitchen, is currently popular lor both renodeling and new construction. On tl"e reverse side, the "V" pattern has a handsome prof rle that complements modern or contem porary settr n gs.

Prlnn'c rorirainnri n:nolinn ic norfe/-t fnr vq rvr'' ceilings, wainscoting and other panel rng applications. lt shows the beauty of ^r^^, {rar ^,^;^ ,^^,.,^ro and benefits utudt, ildt 9toil t cuYvu! from thc snecies' Sr rnprror dimensional stability Redwood shrinks and swells less tnan olhe' woods, so tongue and groove loints stay tighter. Certtfted Kiln Dried redwood s virtually pre-shrunk for maxrmum stabilrty.

When paints or stains are going to be used, redwood s the rig ht choice. Studies have shown that no other wood absorbs and holds frnishes better than redwood. PALCO's redwood beaded paneling is ideal for kitchens, breakfast rooms and even bathrooms where protective finishes, sr,ch as polyurethanes, are subject to repealed scrubbing.