LITCHFIELD – Gary Stout realized he had a good thing going when he received an online order from a customer in Texas asking to purchase $1,000 worth of cowbells.

“It turns out that this person searched all over the state and every place they called was out of stock. That’s when they turned to the Internet and came across our website,” Stout said. “Who knew that a full-service lumber store in Litchfield, Ohio would be able to come to the rescue?”

From the road, it’s safe to say Stout Lumber appears to be anything but a megastore, especially one that might be able to service such a large order for cowbells. In fact, Gary admits that if it weren’t for the 1946 GMC pickup truck parked out front, most people would pass right by without even giving the business a second look.

But those who do stop in to take a peek are typically surprised at the selection they find inside and, at the same time, are reminded how looks truly can be deceiving.

“How does that saying go? Big things come in small packages?” Gary joked of his small storefront and lumber barn that blend in seamlessly with their surrounding rural-residential neighbors. “From the outside, it might look like all we sell is lumber, but really, what we have to offer is whole lot more than that.”

Everything under the sun

With more than 40 years of experience in the lumber and building industries, the staff at Stout Lumber is savvy enough to help its customers locate and purchase virtually any item available on the market – ranging from hardware and tools to gardening and pet supplies and more.

Like his father, Bob, before him, Gary has worked in the lumber industry nearly all his life and brings with him the extensive wealth of knowledge he has gained by working in the trade for nearly half a century. He’s also made sure that the business remains a family affair, with each of his five children and a handful of his grandchildren having worked at the store at some point in their lives.

“We may be new to the location, but we can assure our customers that we have a long history in the business,” he said.

Gary’s son, Jesse, continues to work alongside his dad and has helped him expand the business in recent years to include the store’s online marketplace. Though the store has more than 8,000 items in stock at all times, Stout Lumber’s distribution center now carries an additional 60,000 products and continues to grow every day.

“What that means is that no matter what customers are looking for, we will be able to find it for you,” Jesse said. “And if we can’t, we will know where to send you.”

Stout Lumber also has the ability to place special orders with more than 1,000 manufacturers and vendors who do business with the company.

“With our special order program, you can shop our virtually endless selection of hardware, tools, lighting, home décor, kitchen and bath products and more – both in our store and online,” Jesse said. “In addition to the thousands of items in stock, there are thousands more available through special order.”

While arrival times for special-order merchandise varies by manufacturer and product, the good news is that shipping is always free when customers select to have the items they purchase sent to the store for pickup, Jesse added.

But aisles of hardware, lumber, specialty trim, flooring and doors aren’t the only items that can be found at Stout Lumber. The store also carries a wide selection of building materials, electrical supplies, hand and power tools, housewares, household supplies and even automotive supplies. Also available are a wide selection of lawn and garden supplies, paint, sundries, glass, ladders, adhesives, roofing materials, plumbing and heating supplies, sporting goods and gear for outdoor living.

“Most people are surprised at what they find in our little store,” Gary said, noting that Warner ladders, Simonton Vinyl, Lincoln Windows and National Hardware are just a sample of the well-known brands Stout Lumber carries. “We really know how to pack it in.”

In addition to offering a wide variety of both common and hard-to-locate products, what customers, many of which hail from Medina, Litchfield and the surrounding communities, find even more appealing about Stout Lumber is its location.

“They don’t have to deal with the traffic they find when they have to go to some of our competitors,” Gary said. “They can get in, get out and get back to work.”

But perhaps the largest incentive of all comes down to the almighty dollar.

“Our customers are amazed that they can find what they want here and usually at a lower cost than most of our competitors,” Gary said. “Because we don’t have all the overhead, we can sell our products at a lower cost.”

Time-saving services

Just like its competitors, Stout Lumber also works with a number of well-qualified local contractors that specialize in projects of all kinds – from pole barn design to kitchen remodeling and everything in between.

“When it comes to kitchens, for example, we can help turn the nightmare into a dream in just a matter of weeks,” Gary said. Our full-time kitchen design team can help you discover your kitchen’s inner beauty. Whether you’re cooking quiet intimate dinners for two, or hosting an entire dinner party, we can help you coordinate all the right elements to create a space that fits your lifestyle.”

The same is true, the Stouts say, when it comes to flooring.

At Stout Lumber, customers can also work one-on-one with the company’s draftsman to create professional deck designs and deck plans to suit individualized specifications.

“This is a great service for both do-it-yourself deck builders and contractors,” he said. “We are definitely your one-stop-shop for all your decking needs.”

In the way of the old mom and pop hardware stores of yesteryear, the staff at Stout Lumber always takes the time to properly load and secure larger merchandise into customers’ vehicles. And if the items don’t fit, Stout Lumber has that covered, too.

“We can arrange delivery to your home or work site six days a week at a time that is convenient for the customer,” Gary said.

By the end of October, Stout Lumber will offer its customers a new store credit card and also plans to roll out its Repeat Rewards loyalty card program. The key tag-based system will allow clientele to benefit from daily and monthly deals, customer appreciation sales and even special discounts off select merchandise.

Stout Lumber, located at 8007 Norwalk Road in Litchfield, is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. The store is closed on Sundays. For more information, call 330-722-8733 or visit stoutlumber.com.