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Cashway Building Materials - Leander

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Written by Autumn Rhea Carpenter Monday, 07 August 2006

Hardware store maintains strong foundation

Cashway Building Materials, a member of Ace Hardware and a 22-year Leander mainstay, successfully competes with big box stores, accommodates changes in customer interests, and understands how energy concerns affect the industry.

Cashway’s original owner, Robin Bledsoe, taught son and current storeowner, Mitch Bledsoe, the tricks of the trade. In 1968, he opened his first Cashway store in West Texas, and in 1984 the Leander location was founded.

“Lumber was his life,” Bledsoe said.

The elder statesman recently passed on, leaving Leander a legacy in its schools and community.

Photo - Mitch Bledsoe (right) and Cashway employee prepare a load of lumber for shipment. As Leander grows, Cashway continues to provide quality service and caters to loyal customers interested in shopping at a family-owned establishment.

“We are Leander’s original home improvement store,” Bledsoe said. “We are also able to compete with the big box stores by providing competitive prices. Many people think that big box stores are cheaper, but that is not always the case.”

The family-owned facility sells all the supplies necessary for building a complete home such as paint, plumbing, electrical, lawn and garden, hardware, tools and lumber. As customers become savvier, Bledsoe has witnessed a shift in expectations.

“When we opened, we were contractor-oriented,” he said. “More people are now interested in home improvement, and as a result we have grown into a retail store.”

With more home improvement enthusiasts, Bledsoe mentioned that some projects require a professional’s expertise.

“Often a home owner starts a project, not realizing that his work must meet city compliance codes,” he said. “Small projects are great for home owners to attack, but it might be better to leave the major work to the professionals.”

As environmental and energy concerns increase, Bledsoe has witnessed noticeable changes in the industry.

“Customers expect home products with long life expectancies,” he said. “They can now purchase hearty plank products, such as concrete-based siding with a 50-year warranty, as opposed to the wood siding that usually carries no warranty. Radiant barrier roof decking reflects heat and ultimately lowers utility expenses. People are more aware of energy costs and demand solutions that make their homes more energy efficient.”

Bledsoe says there are challenges working with fluctuating lumber commodities.

“Prices change hourly and buying lumber is a challenge,” he said. “But it is thrilling to watch a delivery truck haul off a load of lumber then later see the end result: a beaming customer, proudly standing in front of his finished dream home.”