Bohannon Avenue

Mainstay Is Popular

With Contractors,

As Well As Public

By DOUGLAS WATSON

Managing Editor

Greeneville Builders Supply is celebrating its 50th year this year, having been opened in July 1958, by the late W.C. Adams Sr.

His son, W.C. "Billy" Adams, is president of the well-known company, which is located at 208 Bohannon Ave.

In a joint interview this week, Adams and Harold Dean Hartman, the store's manager, recalled the store was first situated along Tusculum Boulevard but was relocated in 1963 to its current location.

They said Greeneville Builders Supply has 32,000 square feet in its main building, and has adjoining buildings that together cover about 50,000 square feet. All building materials for sale "are under roof."

Adams and Hartman said that about two-thirds of the company's customers are contractors, with the remaining one-third being individuals, most of them doing home-improvement projects.

Adams said the store sells anything someone might need in electrical, plumbing, building, and roofing supplies, as well as salt-treated lumber.

He said the slower economy this year has cut the company's business by "12 to 18 percent, but we've been in business for 50 years, and we can handle it."

13 Employees

Greeneville Builders Supply has 13 employees.

Adams, who is 80, said he comes in three afternoons a week to pay bills, keep an eye on things, and just out of habit, since he has been working for the company since he was 30 years old.

Hartman does most of the ordering, assisted by Jerry Malone and Rick Parvin, the store's assistant managers.

Three other key personnel are secretaries Connie Click, Mary Martin and Charlotte White.

Adams and Hartman said Greeneville Builders Supply has 50 to 60 suppliers from which it orders products, 15 or 20 of them being key suppliers.

Adams was asked: "With so many items in stock, how do they keep track of it?" He replied, "Wherever it is, Harold knows where it is."

One surprise the business had years ago occurred when a bear that was running loose in town ran into the store building through a back door. Fortunately, they recalled, the bear ran out before anyone got hurt.