Spenard Builders Supply closes Houston store, keeps truss plant

HOUSTON — City residents in need of nails or a gallon of paint from Spenard Builders Supply will have to drive a few more miles after the closure last week of the company’s Meadowood Mall outlet.

“The Big Lake retail store is closed and we are consolidating into the Wasilla store. The Big Lake truss plant — which is located on the same property — will continue operations as normal,” company spokeswoman Jennifer Thurman said. “The decision to consolidate operations will position us to more effectively and efficiently service the Mat-Su Valley in Alaska.”

Houston Mayor Virgie Thompson said the city is looking into what the closure means for the community.

She said she’s not sure how many Houstonians need new work now.

Spenard, she understands, sent a lot of the Houston employees to the company’s Wasilla store.

As far as sales tax revenue goes, Thompson said city coffers are going to take a hit, though she’s still trying to figure out how big a hit.

Spenard, she said, is being very helpful in that regard, working to get the city figures regarding how much of the sales tax came out of the retail store and how much came from the truss plant. Thompson said hopefully that means the city won’t be caught flat-footed when sales tax receipts come in.

“It plays a big factor in our budgeting process. It’s important and it just means that when we get the numbers and start working for our budget we’ll have to deal with it. We have no control,” she said.

The mayor said she was sad to see her city lose one of its businesses.

“It’s a shame to see them have to do this, but it just kind of goes to show that our economy is not back up to where a lot of people think it might be,” Thompson said.

Contact reporter Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.