Smith Lumber Company Celebrated 100th Anniversary with Community Event

Smith Lumber Company celebrated a century of business by hosting a weeklong, community event last week. The 100th anniversary celebration event featured a vendor cookoff, live entertainment, and special savings opportunities.

On Thursday, Smith Lumber Company hosted complementary community games, as well as their 2nd Annual Vendor Cookoff. Community members were able to purchase cookoff tickets for $5 to sample and vote for their favorite dishes from participating vendors, including Fargo Paint and Glass, Wheatland Steel & Trim, and more. All proceeds benefited Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals and Barnes Country Food Pantry. Big Hammer Music Entertainment and Greg Hager provided live entertainment during the event.

Throughout the week, shoppers enjoyed special savings opportunities—they were able to purchase a reusable shopping bag for $5 and receive 15% off anything that fits in the bag (with some exclusion).

“We’re humbled by the impressive turnout throughout the week,” said Owner Tim Durheim. “We sincerely appreciate everyone who came to show their support and celebrate 100 years with us.”

The business dates back to 1923 when Ben Grotte opened a distribution business downtown to serve the area’s coal needs. By the early 1950s, Grotte had sold the business to Jake Smith who operated Smith Lumber Company until the mid 1960s, when he sold it to the Wright family. The Wright Family ushered the business through its first evolution into a dedicated lumber and building material supplier, catering to pro contractors.

In 2014, Durheim purchased Smith Lumber Company, and grew the business to include hardware and home improvement supplies, rental tools and equipment, live plants and gardening supplies, and more. Momentum from this second evolution steadily increased, and Durheim and the team completed an 11,000-square-foot expansion project in March 2022, allowing them to add retail items like work clothes, farm and ranch supplies, kitchen and plumbing supplies, housewares, and toys and games. Today, Smith Lumber Company serves pro contractors and DIYers alike with a one-stop shopping experience.

“I’m energized by our continued growth, and I look forward to serving the Valley City community for years to come,” said Durheim.

About Smith Lumber Company

Smith Lumber Company is backed by the strength of its status as a member-owner of Do it Best, a US-based hardware, lumber, and building materials co-op with thousands of independently owned locations in the United States and more than 50 other countries. The store is located at 1525 East Main in Valley City, ND, and its hours of operation are 7:30 am–6 pm Monday–Friday, 7:30 am–5 pm Saturday, and noon–4 pm Sunday. For more information, visit smithlumbercompany.com.

Contact:

Tim Durheim – President & Owner – smithlumbervc@gmail.com – (701) 845-2135

Source: Smith Lumber Company