Offering more than plywood

By ANNE KAZMIERCZAK
Register Reporter

Register/Anne Kazmierczak Max Houk jokes at New Klein Lumber Tuesday afternoon that the insulation he’s purchasing is for his wife’s Christmas present.

You won’t find Christmas trees at New Klein Lumber. And, “The only angel here is Angie,” said employee Ramsey Gott about Klein bookkeeper Angie Whitney. Still, you might find some stocking stuffers or even great gifts for that certain handyman or woman in your life.
Klein Lumber has been in business since 1903, selling wood and wood products to those seeking to build or remodel. The ‘New’ was added 20 years ago when Norm and Donna Eisenbart bought the company. “Dad still owns it,” son Bill said, “But Steve and I run it.” The brothers still sell wood and wood products. But, they’re expanding — just a little.
“We’ve been trying to add new products as we can make room for them,” said Steve. “Mainly hardware and plumbing and tools.” While hardware might not be on your typical Christmas gift list, “Everybody could use a cordless drill,” Bill said.
Still, the mainstay of the lumber company is building materials. “We sell a lot of concrete siding,” Bill said. “It’s got a wood grain texture,” and is moisture-resistant, he said. “We try to sell tools for Christmas,” he added. The store has Bosch, DeWalt and “a lot of hand tools,” Bill said.
Many of those, from levels to tape measures to vice grips, could be used as small holiday gifts. You probably won’t find the larger items under a tree, though.
Andersen windows and custom front doors are both available at Klein. So is Laura Ashley paint, a designer color brand. “It’s one of the top of the lines,” said Bill of the palette. Most people this time of year don’t start a remodeling project, but Gott suggested they might get ideas for what they’d like to do before next year’s holidays roll around. That might include those windows and doors, both of which are special order items.
“We’ve had a pretty good year,” Bill said. He said the price of lumber in the Midwest hasn’t fluctuated much, and that the huge swings in housing and materials costs have mostly affected the coasts. There has been an effect in Iola, though.
“Lumber prices are down from two years ago,” Steve said, “because housing starts are down. The demand is not as strong.”
And even though a number of new homes are planned for Iola, “From all indications I’ve seen, they’re not buying (lumber and supplies) locally,” Steve said. That’s a problem, said Bill. “We’ve got to put the money back into Iola.”
“Typically, this time of year, things slow down.”
Klein Lumber also does materials estimates for building projects, Steve said. Whether it be a room addition or a pole barn, the Eisenbarts can tell you what it will cost and generate a list of what you need to get the job done.
And even though they’re not the first place most Christmas shoppers think of, they are grateful for those who come through their doors. As Gott said, “We’ve got to thank all the customers who shop at the lumber yard throughout the year.”