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Published on 07/21/1997 All articles from this issue

86-year-old Minton's rebuilds for future

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By Linda Taaffe / Town Crier Staff Writer

Business Profile

Minton's Lumber and Supply began the first phase of its facelift last month, nearly two years after a fire almost destroyed the pink landmark on Evelyn Avenue in Mountain View. Only the sign will remain the same.

Minton's is perhaps one of downtown's best known businesses, dating back to 1911. Generations of Peninsula customers have loyally bought supplies from the full-service lumber company, including the Mountain View/Los Altos Union School District.

The district has used Minton's lumber for most of its construction projects, said Kari Bjerke, marketing specialist at Minton's. It is rumored that almost all of the downtown buildings are made from its lumber, she said.

"I think our customers like the convenience of knowing the people (who work at Minton's) and the products we sell," Bjerke said about the family-owned company.

After a fire consumed the company's covered lumber storage area in October 1995, Deborah Eaton-Schulz, president of Minton's, said the company received several lucrative property offers. But the owners never considered moving the lumberyard from its original site. Minton's counted its losses, re-opened two days later and began making plans to rebuild a more modern lumberyard, she said.

Bjerke said company owners had been thinking about renovating its facilities, but the fire "gave us the push."

The first phase of renovations includes leveling the existing lumber and storage sheds in the back of the lumberyard to prepare for the construction of a 45,000 square-foot steel building that will eventually be used to accommodate all of the company's products in one indoor area.

In the second phase, the room that was painted pink in the 1950s to attract women customers will be taken down and the new steel building will be extended to house the pink-room merchandise.

Bjerke said customers can expect the new building to be more customer-friendly. She said supplies will be categorized and easier to find.

"Customers don't have to worry about walking in the rain anymore," Bjerke said. "The new enclosed facility is going to be huge."

She said although Minton's is under construction, it will be open for business as usual. Renovations are expected to be completed in January 1998.