When Don and Aaron Gowan purchased Vestal Lumber to become their third location in 1985, later named Home Central, they never realized the magnitude of the rebirth the hole-in-the-wall store would have in the next 30 years. The Vestal Home Central location was completely rebuilt in 2001 and re-opened facing Stage Road in 2002.
The Rail Trial became a reality around the same time and the growth of the family owned business may be partially attributed to traffic from folks entering and exiting the trail after leisurely (or exhilarating) jaunts.
Originally a stop for mostly builders and remodelers, Home Central in Vestal saw nearly 80 percent of their sales come from this contractor business in 2000. Fast forward 15 years to a highway of leisure traffic entering and exiting the East Trail of the Vestal Rail Trail, now the hole-in-the-wall lumber yard has undergone a rebirth as a full-service home center and homeowners have taken over the majority of sales.
While the rebuild in 2002 was a strategic decision to make Home Central a more shopper friendly store with expanded hardware selection, the consistent traffic from the Rail Trail has definitely had an impact on driving the homeowner business upward. Besides daily traffic to the Stage Road entrance to the Rail Trail, the multitude of events on the walkway have increased visibility for Home Central by exposing the family owned business to new eyes from around the Southern Tier on a regular basis. Plus, Home Central’s staff enjoys a built-in benefit, an outdoor fitness facility immediately adjacent to their workplace.
Increased customer traffic means making sure that the store is a great shopping experience for all who walk through the doors and the management at Home Central recognized that it was time to refresh the interior of the store to keep customers coming back. As members of the True Value cooperative, Home Central decided to embark on a process to make the Vestal location a Destination True Value, a designation that requires months of work to re-merchandise and refurbish the store in accordance with the specifications that True Value urges their member stores to achieve.
Vestal Home Central has undergone a variety of changes that should prove beneficial; including improved product assortments, new signage and better adjacencies to make the store more shopper-friendly, plus an overall refreshed and brighter appearance. New product assortments include a new pet supply department, expanded house wares, lawn and garden supplies, plus new products in their already substantial plumbing, electrical and hardware departments.
Home Central will be hosting a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 14 and a Renovation Celebration on Saturday, May 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Celebration on Saturday will include a Spin-to-Win Prize Giveaway, many discounted items, and customers are encouraged to participate in the Treasure Hunt for a chance to win a 7-Piece Patio Set, Weber Gas Grill, Gas Powered Pressure Washer and many other fabulous prizes.
Additionally, 5-gallon buckets will be on sale for $1 (all proceeds benefit the Lions Club) and customers can get 25 percent off any merchandise they can fit in the bucket (see store for restrictions). The Lions Club will also be serving hot dogs and drinks.
The owners and management at Home Central would like to thank their staff for the long hours put into the renovation, as well as their customers for being patient throughout the process. Join Home Central as they celebrate 30 years in business at their Vestal location and stop by to see the newly refurbished store.
