A New Kind of Store
John Cook, general manager of the new location in Dubuque, said that the ability of Spahn & Rose to react quickly and efficiently in different markets is what has set the group apart from the competition. “At our Dubuque location,” Cook said, “we carry products that fit that area’s customers.” In other locations, different Spahn & Rose stores may carry different lines of products to meet the needs of those specific markets.
The new Dubuque location is proving successful because, unlike its competition, the group has worked to do more than just fill square-footage.
“We’re creating more events to get the general public into our store. That’s something we haven’t done a lot of in the past,” Cook said. The store hosts events such a Ladies’ Night, as well as partners with the local chamber of commerce for a Business After Hours event. Spahn & Roses’ Dubuque store is also open later and open on Saturday afternoons, when Cook has seen an increase in foot traffic.
“We’ve been investing a lot of time and money at a number of our locations renovating the retail stores,” said Hannan. “The Dubuque store in particular is more attractive, inviting, and there’s more space for expanded displays and different products that we did not have room for in
our old location. In order for us to grow, we need facilities that are more attractive to invite new customers into our stores.”
Since the old Dubuque location wasn’t in a high traffic location, Hannan thinks the store lost out on passer-by business. Today’s lumberyard needs things that retail stores offer, he said, such as visibility, access, parking and large space. The company does not want to be known as just a lumberyard but rather a full service retail building material dealer.
Hannan said that while the old location was able to grow throughout the years, its options were limited. The move into the new neighborhood brought in more customers and the additional space allows for more displays and hands-on, accessible demonstrations.
