PORT ANGELES — Reduced demand for building materials has forced the closure of Showcase and The Quarry in Port Angeles, Lumber Traders’ top executive said.
Lumber Traders Inc. is the parent company of the adjacent building supply stores at the corner of Race and Front streets.
The Showcase, which sells counter tops, doors, windows, cabinets and other items, was closed Friday.
The Quarry — which sells such natural stone as flagstone, ledgestone, river rock and boulders — will be closed on Aug. 31.
Both stores are located at 833 E. Front St.
Lumber Traders is moving products from the Showcase to Angeles Millwork and Lumber Co. at 1601 S. C St.
Stock from the Quarry will be moved to Hartnagel Building Supply, 3111 E. Highway 101, as part of a consolidation at the parent company.
“We’re just consolidating to become more efficient and have less overhead expense,” said Arnold Schouten, Lumber Traders chief executive officer and former co-owner of Showcase and The Quarry.
The Showcase opened in early 2008 and the Quarry opened late last year.
Schouten said the building materials market is as slow as it’s been in years.
He said the situation in Port Angeles mirrors what is happening across the state and the nation.
“Closing the Showcase and The Quarry is a difficult decision to have to make, but Lumber Traders is committed to doing what is necessary in order to remain viable while there is a reduced demand for building and construction materials,” Schouten said in a prepared statement.
Three employees from the Showcase will move to Angeles Millwork, Schouten said. Two workers from the quarry will move to Hartnagel, he added.
Window specialist Donna Hoyt will move from Showcase to Hartnagel Building Supply on Monday, Lumber Traders announced.
Free replacement window seminars are scheduled for Aug. 17 and Oct. 19.
Also on Monday, contractor Mike Blodgett, who specializes in creating materials lists and all building materials, will move from Showcase to Angeles Millwork and Lumber Co.
Natural stone at the Quarry is being sold at a 20-percent discount this month.
Lumber Traders is cutting one staff position during the consolidation, Schouten said.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
