New yet familiar

Cash & Carry Lumber in New Rockford is under new, yet familiar, ownership.

Earlier this spring, paperwork was officially completed for Travis and Ami Peterson, Stu and Vicky Richter, Brady and Jenece Richter and Lucas and Becki Schumacher to become the new owners of Cash & Carry Lumber.

Now, they're ready to introduce themselves as the new owners and to meet Cash & Carry's loyal customers at an upcoming event.

The new ownership group will appear at a customer appreciation lunch on Tuesday, June 20 at the store, where customers can meet them, grab a bite to eat and even sign up for door prizes.

Stu Richter said the story of how four local families came to share ownership of the business began two years ago, when Wayne Lesmeister – Cash & Carry's original owner – first approached him about selling the business he created.

"He said he didn't know if he wanted to advertise it or list it with a realtor, and he asked me, because I'm with economic development, if we would help," recalled Richter, "and I said of course we would."

In the time that followed, however, Richter said they weren't able to work something out with any potential buyers.

Until, that is, Lesmeister finally approached Richter himself.

"Wayne and I were talking and he said 'do you suppose you could try to get a group together to buy it?' and I said 'well, I guess we'll start visiting about it,'" recalled Richter.

"I was interested because I want Cash and Carry to stay in [New Rockford]," he added. "We need it in the city as far as our tax base and our community needs it."

From there, Richter said he approached his son Brady and eventually the Petersons and Schumachers, who were all interested in sharing ownership.

"We felt it was a very good group of community-minded people that want to see our community flourish and keep it in New Rockford," said Richter. "So we decided to form a partnership and start negotiating with Wayne."

Richter added that Lesmeister was very willing to reach an agreement with the group and that everyone acted in good faith.

Lesmeister first opened Cash and Carry Lumber in March of 1991, and its first location was in the building behind Cenex, currently owned by Heskin Grain Processing. Two years later, in March of '93, They opened in their current location on Hwy. 281.

Lesmeister said he never expected Cash and Carry Lumber to grow into what it's become.

"It started out as just a few odds and ends, a few 2-by-4s and just things for people in town that needed it, because we didn't have anything before that," said Lesmeister. "But then the business just took off and grew and grew every year."

Lesmeister said it was always his priority to keep the business in New Rockford, and believes he's leaving the business in good hands with the new owners.

"This is a fine, upstanding group of individuals," he said. "I feel that they will do quite well in this venture."

Meanwhile, anyone worried the business will be changing can rest easy. Richter said customers will hardly notice a difference.

"We're keeping the same name because we felt Wayne has done such a good job with it over the years," said Richter. "We have an excellent manager in Bruce Gedrose and we have an excellent staff, and we'd just like to see it continue."

Lesmeister also expressed particular appreciation for Bruce Gedrose, who's been with him at Cash and Carry for 30 years. He also thanked all the staff that has supported the lumbar yard over the years as well as the local community for supporting his business.

"I had a group of employees that were very loyal and have been with me for many years," he said. "And I appreciate the business the local community brought to the place that helped it grow to what it is today."