On inventory and labor
The showroom has a limited inventory on hand, although lumber and mouldings are typically in stock. All kitchen cabinetry and doors are ordered for the customer.
They aren’t seeing the supply chain issues that were prevalent during the pandemic and most things arrive quickly, with lead times of about a week.
“The challenge now is not the supply chain as much as it is the workforce,” Fritsche says. “Finding people who are willing to work has been an issue for me and for some of our manufacturers, so sometimes that pushes back on the production times. And in our showroom, there’s a lot we have to know and talk about, so that’s another reason it’s so hard to find people.”
What customers don’t see is what they need most: that knowledge base that answers all the questions customers don’t even know to ask.
There are more remodeling projects than new construction and the goal is to find a good solution for whatever problems exist, like the windows over kitchen sinks that are inherently problematic for anyone wanting a room with a view.
“People don’t want that window to have a big stile going up the middle of it, so we come up with solutions where they can look out into their yard, not at millwork,” she says. “We also carry several lines of kitchen cabinetry, everything from quick-ship to fully custom.”
The showroom is all about meeting the expectations for form, function and, to a large degree, fashion. What’s trending hot is a priority for homeowners and contractors alike, and the right hardware is essential.
Tart Lumber features a range of hardware on display including selections from Emtek, Baldwin, and Rocky Mountain hardware. “We’re the only local dealer for Rocky Mountain, which is a beautiful bronze, hand-hammered custom hardware,” Fritsche says. “There’s also been a trend back to brass but it’s more of a satin brass, paler and softer looking, not an antique or shiny brass. I just sold my first barn door track in a gold color as opposed to a black- or stainless steel-look so we are seeing the trend to brass.”
The showroom itself is constantly evolving to feature the latest products. Glass barn doors had just arrived as Fritsche talked with HBSD and the recent trend to arched doorways are showcased in a striking built-to-order exterior Upstate Door with an arch that extends across the sidelights.
“We’re seeing a lot of the board and batten look, white houses with black windows on the exterior, more one-level sprawling homes for aging in place, and designs incorporating interior options for walk-in closets, walk-in pantries and more open spaces,” Fritsche says.
Another interesting trend is the movement toward some processes that make wood a more viable option. Thermally modified wood, like the products they carry from Thermory, and Accoya wood (which Fritsche says can have a 50-year warranty), make wood a more stable, long-lasting solution.
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Top Showrooms: Tart Lumber | HBS Dealer:
On inventory and labor The showroom has a limited inventory on hand, although lumber and mouldi…
