About > History

In 1997, after 30 years in the lumber and building material industry, Barney Wagner had a vision.  Starting at the young age of 12, Barney worked for various lumber yards around the South Puget Sound area.  After graduating from high school, he entered the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1969.  Barney resumed his career   in the lumber business working his way up through the highest ranks and developing a great reputation with vendors, customers and contractors.  Having been in the business for so many years, Barney realized what the people of rural Western Washington needed.

The ideology of Arrow Lumber & Hardware was founded on Legendary Customer Service along with honesty, integrity and commitment.  In March of 1997, Arrow Lumber & Hardware started in a small field in Puyallup, WA.  The crew consisted of only two men, Barney Wagner and his protege Shawn Roehr.  Shawn was only 16 when Barney introduced him to the lumber business.  Barney was impressed with Shawn's eagerness to learn and  drive to succeed.  Barney and Shawn worked 16 hour days; purchasing, selling and delivering, and soon the business began to grow.  In June of 1997, Arrow Lumber & Hardware purchased the complete operation of    Inter-Mountain Building Materials in Eatonville, WA.  This would be their first official store location which is     still in full operation today.

Less than two years later, with the Eatonville store thriving within the community, Barney and Shawn went on   to pursue development of their next location.  Land was found and purchased in Buckley, WA along Highway  410.  After Barney and Shawn had completed the plans, construction commenced in the spring of 1998.  This project was Arrow Lumber & Hardware's flagship location and would be their second independently owned and operated store.  This location would also become the Corporate office for Arrow Lumber & Hardware.               The Buckley location officially opened for business on August 6, 1999.

Less than a month later, an opportunity became available for a third location in the town of Port Orchard, WA.  Barney and Shawn purchased and accepted ownership of Bethel Builders Home Center.  After a custom   remodel, Arrow Lumber & Hardware's newest location officially opened for business on August 30, 1999.

In keeping with a rural focus, Arrow Lumber & Hardware chose Randle, WA as their next location.  This location would be their fourth independently owned and operated store.  The Randle location officially opened for business on April 14, 2004.  Barney and Shawn had found a strong market in establishing full service lumber yards for the "under-served" rural areas of Western Washington.

Barney and Shawn's hard work and dedication was reflected in the steady growth of the company.  Shawn's outstanding work ethic earned him the position of Vice President and General Manager.  Shortly after, Barney  felt strongly that Shawn would be the perfect business partner and in 2006 Shawn was named President and    Co-Owner of Arrow Lumber & Hardware.

In July of 2006, Barney and Shawn would capitalize on a new opportunity which was presented to them.  The purchase of Logan Lumber Company in Orting, WA was finialized.  This location had been serving the   surrounding community for 10 years prior to Arrow Lumber & Hardware's acquisition.  Barney and Shawn were excited to take ownership and watch the business flourish.  July 24, 2006 the Orting location became their fifth independently owned and operated store in Western Washington.

In 2007, Arrow Lumber & Hardware celebrated its 10th Anniversary.  This milestone for Barney Wagner and Shawn Roehr and their veteran staff of professionals marked significant progression towards servicing these rural communities by supporting schools, community events, food banks and customers.  Maintaining the ability to support and give back within each community is one of Arrow Lumber & Hardware's core values.

 In January of 2008, commercial property was purchased in Port Townsend, WA.  This would be Arrow Lumber    & Hardware's sixth location.  Development of the commercial property was underway six months after the purchase of the land.  The Port Townsend location initially operated out of a small portable building on site     with limited space for retail hardware and lumber storage.  In 2009 the long and grueling process of obtaining building permits began.  It wasn't until 2014 that Arrow Lumber & Hardware was given the green light to begin construction for their newest location.  Arrow Lumber & Hardware proudly opened the doors to this beautiful  new store as well as hosted an official Grand Opening on June 2, 2015.

Arrow Lumber & Hardware was built from the deep roots of the industry it serves.  We will be celebrating our 20th Anniversary in 2017.  Dedication, hard work, community involvement and an ongoing commitment to Legendary Customer Service is our hallmark.  Our customers affirm that our staff is unsurpassed.  Arrow    Lumber & Hardware has built a legacy to serve future generations.  Always on the lookout for new rural areas which are being "under-served", Arrow Lumber & Hardware will continue to develop and expand throughout Western Washington for decades to come.

Arrow Lumber & Hardware has joined social media in 2016 with dedicated accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.  Look for us today and see what we're up to!

 

 

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