By Leon E. Emo, The Madera Tribune, March 31, 2008
Since the late 1940's, General Builders Supply, also knonw as GBS, has been helping Maderans, from neighborhood handymen and do-it-yourself homeowners to farmers and building contractors, find the right items and tools for their repair or installation needs.
At the time, Pat Melikian owned the Madera store, then located at 1920 Howard Road, where Round Table Pizza is today.
In the early 1950's, with their easy to remember three-digit phone number of 406, it was simple to call to see whether GBS stocked what one needed. With a store in Visalia as well, it was a good chance they had exactly the itme at either location. If a tool or product were at the Visalia store it would be personally delivered for the Madera customer as soon as possible.
Pat's son, Roger Melikian, followed in his father's footsteps and operated the business until 1977. In tat year, a partnership of local businessmen decided to puchase the store.
The new ownership, Carl Wisener of Madera Lumber, Bud Smith of Smith Volpa Dodge and Farmers Insurance, and local certified public accountant James Lesan decided to expand the hours and days of operation. Business quickly began to increase.
Within nine years, it was apparent that the current location was too small to help a growing community and their many new customers. Carl Wisener, as managing partner, and the others, decided to move the store to its current location at 1808 Howard Road. In 1995, Bud Smith's youngest son, Dennis, purchased James Lesan's part of the ownership and Wisener and Bud Smith retired.
Today, just as in 1950, you can still buy a wood-handled claw hammer at GBS. And here's something you won't find in hardware stores of today, but has been carried by GBS since their opening: bicycles. Along with the usual selection of safety glasses, there is also a good variety of sunglasses. Within minutes the key department can make keys to fit almost any lock. Another unusual service is CO2 to recharge your paintball gun.
Several departments offer a wide range of materials, items and hardware for home, lawn, garden, construction and more. When new products are introduced, GBS will have them in stock as quickly as any store. In the housewares department a selection of cleaning materials can be found. The garden department is stocked with fertilizers, insecticides, and fungicides. They also stock gardening tools, mowers, trimmers, and equipment for the best in lawn care. The hardware department has everything needed for the home repair job or the largest construction project. From hinges to screws and bolts in both standard and metric, all are easy to find and the friendly staff is always around to assist the customer.
For new homes or the renovatio and room remodel of older homes, GBS carries a large selection of new shower, bath and kitchen faucet fixtures, plumbing repair necessities and parts. If your new home has a pool, GBS carries a full line of cleaning suppllies and maintenance equipment. The store also stocks products for both minor or major electrical repair and replacement.
In these days of ever-increasing fuel prices, to sav the customer the time and expense of driving around looking for a unique fixture or hard-to-find- items, GBS offers a special order program.
GBS has always provided the best in personal service and the newest items in their large inventory. Plans for the near future include making and repairing window screens. And as a bonus for loyal customers, they will soon be offering a customer rewards program.
"One thing that hasn't changed and never will," said Dennis Smith, "is the commitment to customer service tht is the cornerstone of GBS. Adapting to the ever changing market, while never compromising the personal service that makes us and other locally owned businesses thrive."
For nearly six decades the staff at GBS has given its utmost in helping customers with their needs. Today over a dozen employees provide courteous and knowledgeable service to all who enter.
