Meek Lumber Company Strong on Merchandising

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prorr<l of." That r,r'as thc ftt'ling 'rr:e got orr tr tt'tt'nt tour o[ (,has. O. Nlt'ek Lrrml,t'r (,ontlrartr''s nt'rtt'st rtpetatiorr itl llrltcrprist'" ort Ilrt' outskirts of Ileddirrg.

I',r't'n though tltt're havt' lrt't'tt sontt' trttlt' t'rt't'lrtional entrirs in thc {iel<l of mt'rchartrlisirrlt this 1't'ar. it looks likt' Meek's l'lntt'rlrrist' operation might havt' the rtortht'rtr (lalifornia trophv going alrav.

Prolrably thc most imposing part of the neu ]'ard is its spat'ious and lreautifully tlt'signcd shorlroom 'rvith its four t'ntrances, two check ( ounters an<l strikinpl. larninated beam roof system. Bcams ari' 60 footers with exposed roof dr:cking, clear span and a living tt'stimonial that there's "Nothing in the World like Wood."

Manager Clair Carter. one oI tht' principal architects of the new yard, conducted the tour of the impressive facility, noting that the Nleek Lumber Co. organization had the foresight to lruy the 15 a-t're parcel a ferv yt,ars back when it became evident thc tor,,'n of Redding would be cxpanded F.ast along Highrvav :1.'1. Although Carter is only using 1, acres at present. hc's already got plarrs lor additiorral erparrsion as his volrrme continut's to build. The yard currently has i-il.000 sq. [t. of warchouse, shed antl showroom area. rvith 17 men and women orr the payroll.

Chas. C. Meek Lumbcr Co. startcd in Iledding primarily as a markcting outlet lor the o1<l Chas. C. \{cek Milling Co. south of tolvn in 1918. l'he comoarrv's \Vt'st Coast ar'livities were .rn outero*, llr of a Springfield. N{issouri, line yard opcration. Chas. C. l{eek Lumber Co., which started in thc early 20's rr,ith 5 small yards. Today, the N{issouri end of the business boa-sts l2 retail lumber outlcts.

\[eek's West Coast show, whir:h began with a sarumill and its downtown Reddine yard, bcgan to roll in 1949 rvhen the company opened a branch at Chir:o. {ollorved bl' the opening of another branch in Yulra City in 1952.

Tht-. purchase of Talac Builders Supply (Conti,nued an Page 89)

GtU-LAM BEAM system and sweeping roof design characterize Meek's new Redding, Calif. showroom (top left photo). The "back of the store" (top right) features conventional storage sheds. This panoramic view of showroom interior (second row, left) shows checkout counter in leit foreground used for cash sa!es. Contractor and bigger retail sales are processed at larger counter at rear of store. Clair Carter (second row, right) is the master architect and manager of Meek's newest addition at Redding. Two o.the store's hottest items (third row, left) are firehoods and a stunning opaque glass entrance door, which incidentally goes for a paltry $250 a c0py. Hotpoint appliance department (third row, right) occupies a prominent corner of the store. Another unusual feature is the store's Dull-out door display and power tool department (lower row, left), and their paneling displays (lower right).