Stud's expanding with second location

Stud's Building and Home is in the process of opening its second location in Thompson Falls. With the flagship store in Plains, owner Joel Collett said he has been planning to open a second location for a few years now. "It was an opportunity more than anything," he said. "The opportunity came up to buy the building from the bank, so that's how it all began." The business, located at 4879 Montana Highway 200, where Les Schwab Tire Center used to be, will be a similar model to the Plains location. "The stock will be the same in each location," Collett said. "We will also be running a transfer truck every day." This will allow the business to cater to the different needs in each store. "It will help cover more bases that way," Collett stated.

A second location will also provide more job opportunities for local residents. "We've already hired two people in Thompson Falls, and we will be able to hire about 10 more people over the next year," Collett said.

Stud's is a full-service hardware and building supply company. Products they offer include lumber, tools and hardware, paint, roofing supplies, and supplies for your lawn and garden. The company also offers several services that range from small engine repair to contracting jobs.

Eric Elliott, a Plains resident who has been working for Collet for nearly four months, will be making the drive to Thompson Falls to work at the new location. "We are at a transition, and it's great that we are so close to being open," Elliott stated.

Collett said due to complications from COVID-19 and a price increase on lumber, the opening day for the second location had to be postponed. "We've been having trouble nailing down an opening date because supplies are so limited right now," the owner said. "We are hoping for some time in March." Even though supplies are limited at the moment, Collett hasn't seen a decrease in business because of the pandemic. "The demand is still high," he said. "The pandemic hasn't slowed us down. We've had to tighten our margins, but we are still trying to make it work for people, and we're still trying to take care of our customers."

The building that was purchased has been empty for some time, but only required basic renovations. "It's a steel building and basically a blank slate," Collett said. "Structurally, we haven't had to change anything. We are trying to create as much open space as we can. All the renovations, we've been able to do in-house and by ourselves." Collett continued, "We will have hardware inside and lumber outside." The business will be open to both the public and private contractors, as it is Collett's mission to cater to both sides. "You can't do one without the other," he stated.

With hope of opening in March or early April, Collett said they will be pushing the next few weeks to be ready and open as the weather starts to warm up. "We have a lot of loyal customers here, we're excited to be closer to them," Collett expressed. "Also, a new business, hopefully, will come with new customers. This is something we've needed to do for a while."