STORE HOURS
(for all Locations)

Closed Sundays

January thru April 27
Mon.-Fri. 8:00-5:00, Sat 8:00-3:00,Closed Sundays

April 28 thru Sept 23
Mon.-Sat. 7:30-5:00, Closed Sundays

Sept 24 thru Nov 4
Mon.-Sat 8:00-5:00, Closed Sundays

Nov 5 thru Dec
Mon.-Fri. 8:00-5:00, Sat 8:00-3:00, Closed Sundays

History of Bernard Building Center

Berk and Beatty Bernard started a new business in 1958 under the name of Bernard Woodworking.  A 20' x 40' shop was built right next to their home for the manufacture of wood windows.  Berk was the only employee and Beatty kept the books, also helping with deliveries when needed.  Several additions were built as the business grew during the next few years, and in 1965, the shop was moved from the original site to a lot just north of their home.  In 1966, another addition and a display room were added, making space for a steadily expanding line of building products.

In 1969, the Hale Lumber Company, located one half mile south of Hale, was purchased and became Bernard Lumber Company.  The window business continued operating for several years at the original location as a sideline, but was eventually closed due to the complications of maintaining two separate business locations.  As Bernard Lumber Company grew and new outbuildings were added, space became limited at the new location.  The owners then began a move back to the Bernard Woodworking location where additional property had been purchased.  Six storage sheds were built in 1972, and the entire business was moved there in 1977 after the completion of a new store and two large storage buildings.

In 1984, the corporation's name was changed to Bernard Building Center, Inc.  The new name more accurately described the business, which had gradually become a home center with a complete line of building materials.  Several outbuildings were added in the following years, and a large addition to the store was built in 1988.  This allowed for space to broaden the existing product lines, as well as the addition of a large Kitchen and Bath center.

In 1991, Beatty turned her responsibilities over to son, Bryon, and became semi-retired from the business, although she still served in an advisory capacity.  More outbuildings were built during this time to house more inventory.  1993 saw Berk following Beatty's lead as he turned his responsibilities over to son, Bruce, allowing Berk to also slip into semi-retirement, while still serving as an advisor.  Berk and Beatty's third son, Daryn, was also involved in the business.  From this point forward, Bryon, Bruce, and Daryn took over the business that Berk and Beatty had started some 35 years earlier.

A 16,000 square foot warehouse was constructed in 1994 to store more inventory, and in 1996 construction was started on a new 4,000 square foot storefront.  The construction was barely completed in the spring of 1997 when the Heinrich Lumber Co. in AuGres, Michigan was purchased and became our second location.  A new lumber storage building was built at the AuGres store in 1998, and a vehicle maintenance garage was finished in 2001 at the Hale location.

On April 25th, 2005, Beatty passed away after a long battle with cancer.  She is greatly missed by all who knew her, especially those who worked with her.  Berk still lives next to the lumber yard, and is currently building his own sawmill in the Sage Lake area.

In the fall of 2007, we started construction on our third location in Hillman, Michigan, which opened in May of 2008.

Presently, Bryon, Bruce, and Daryn own and operate the business.  Bryon is the President and C.E.O., Bruce is Vice President - Contractor Sales and Building Materials, and Daryn serves as Vice President - Store Operations.

Bernard Building Center's excellent Customer Service reputation starts with a strong 6-person management team that boasts over 130 years of experience with Bernard Building Center and over 153 years total in the retail lumber industry.  The managers are:  Ron Kolb - Hale Store Operations, Don Brandt - Installed Sales, Plynn Shellenbarger - Hale Yard Operations, Lynn Parent - Controller & Computer Operations, Eric Maliskey - AuGres Operations and Marlon Smith - Hillman Operations.  The commitment to excellent Customer Service continues with Bernard's staff of around 50 experienced "year round" employees and 20 knowledgeable "seasonal" employees.  Our entire team does a great job of practicing the employee motto, which is "Serve others as you would like to be served."

SERVICES