Nearly 70 years after its founding, Whitesville Lumber is still going strong — not just as a small-town lumber yard, but as a family-run business rooted in relationships, adaptability, and a deep sense of community.
The business was founded in 1957 by Dee Bright, who lived next door and operated a modest storefront while also building and repairing homes. Through the decades, ownership changed hands a couple of times before Jude and Cathy Edge purchased the company in 2001 with plans to pass the reins to their son, Derrick.
Since then, the Edges have continued to evolve the business while holding tight to the values that have kept it thriving, even as big-box retailers moved into the region.
Whitesville Lumber offers a range of services, including delivery, building material sales, custom trusses, pole barn kits, and assistance for both residential and commercial contractors. And despite operating in a town of fewer than 600 people, the store maintains a steady stream of loyal customers, many of whom are contractors who rely on fast service and large, hard-to-find materials.
“We’re kind of like a water faucet. When they turn it on, we come out there,” Jude said. “It’s our delivery and service that make the difference.”
From rail cars to forklifts
The business has changed dramatically over the years. In its early days, materials were delivered by train and unloaded by hand. Today, forklifts and concrete floors have replaced the labor-intensive systems of the past, improving efficiency and reducing the number of workers needed on site.
“We used to have about nine people working here — now we have six,” Jude said. “But we can do more because we’ve invested in how we operate.”
Jude worked at Kimball for 28 years before retiring and joining the family business full time. He credits his son Derrick’s passion for the store’s continued growth. In fact, it was Derrick who first suggested buying the company when he was still a teenager.
“I was homeschooled, and once I finished school for the day, I’d go work for the previous owner,” Derrick said. “I liked getting out of the house and being around the customers.”
Derrick started working at a young age and quickly found himself managing jobs and giving directions to older coworkers. He said the challenge helped him grow as a leader — and it’s a role he now fully embraces.
“I think I just liked being in charge of things and solving problems,” he said. “Now, we’ve made everything more efficient. We use forklifts instead of moving everything by hand, and we try to have it ready to go when people pull in.”
A small-town staple
The store’s success has come not only from its adaptability but from its commitment to personal service. Many customers text in orders after hours and count on Derrick or Jude to make timely deliveries, often navigating narrow backroads and difficult terrain.
“We’ve dropped trusses right next to the river before,” Derrick said with a laugh. “You’ve got to know what you’re doing.”
While Whitesville Lumber has upgraded much of its operation, it still retains an old-school feel — only one computer sits in the office, and family members of all ages often pitch in, from working the counter to mopping floors.
“We’ve got nephews and nieces who come in and learn to work,” Jude said. “It’s just how we were raised, and it’s how we’re raising the next ones.”
Despite competition from major retailers, Whitesville Lumber continues to hold its ground.
“People said we wouldn’t last when Home Depot came. Then Menards came, and they said the same thing,” Jude said. “But those stores helped us in a way. People don’t want to haul their own materials down 54. We’ve got 20-foot poles and can deliver straight to the job site — and fast.”
And on any given morning around 7 a.m., you might hear bluegrass tunes drifting from inside the store. The Edges keep their instruments on hand and sometimes squeeze in a quick jam session before the day gets going.
“It’s a family thing,” Jude said. “We’ve always played music. Customers will come in, hear a tune, and then we go out and load their truck.”
As Whitesville Lumber approaches its 70th anniversary, the Edges don’t have a 5-year plan or expansion blueprint. But they do have a strong foundation built on relationships, hard work, and a little bit of music.
“We’ve just let it grow itself,” Derrick said. “Whatever the customer needs — we’ll figure out how to do it.”
