Established in the late 1920s, Vick Lumber is more than just a small-town hardware and lumber store. Located just a few blocks from the courthouse square in Madisonville, the family-owned business has survived the Great Depression, a catastrophic fire in 1999 that destroyed the main store and most of the lumberyard, and the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through nearly a century of change, one thing has remained constant—the commitment to the people of Madisonville and the surrounding communities.
It all began with M.Y. Vick and the Vick family, who established the business as a basic lumberyard in this small southeast Texas town. After her husband’s death in 1952, Mrs. Vick ran the store with the help of managers until her son took over while he was in college. After his passing in 1995, a widow once again took over the business.
Then came 1999. A massive fire destroyed the main store and most of the lumberyard. George Jaster, who had worked as store manager for the Vick family for years, purchased the company and set about rebuilding.
The next chapter began in 2009, when Jaster was ready to retire and asked Randy Lowery if he would be interested in purchasing the store and carrying on the traditions of a family-run, customer-oriented lumber company.
For Lowery, the decision was a natural one. He started working at Vick Lumber when he was 22 years old and had spent years learning virtually every aspect of the business. “Jaster and I had worked together for 25 years, and the people I worked with there were like family,” Lowery said.
What began as a job for a young man who was newly married, had a son, and needed work eventually became a 42-year career—and ultimately an opportunity for Lowery and his wife Rita to carry the business into its next generation. Today, Randy and Rita Lowery are the owners of Vick Lumber, continuing a tradition that began with M.Y. Vick and his family, was carried forward by the Jasters, and now continues with the Lowery family.
Vick Lumber currently has six team members: Nick, Steve, Rick, Greg, Jose, and John. “Nick is my go-to manager, our IT guru, and my right hand,” Lowery said, adding that each member brings something important to the business. “All of our team are extremely strong, with expertise and service being at the top of their priority lists,” he said.
That emphasis on service is one of the things Lowery believes sets Vick Lumber apart. “Our pricing is more competitive with the big-name stores than some may think,” he said. “The most important thing we do that you may not find in those big-box stores is that we wait on everybody as they come in, from start to end. We know our customers and their unique personalities, because they matter,” Lowery said. That philosophy has helped create relationships that go far beyond a simple customer transaction. “We see, day in and day out, repeat loyal customers that have grown to be our friends,” he said.
Since Lowery took ownership of Vick Lumber, the business has continued to evolve. Brands have changed, prices to use professional builders have increased, and customer needs have shifted. At the same time, Vick Lumber has expanded its inventory, carrying more products in both its lumberyard and paint department.
The COVID years brought their own challenges. It was a hard and expensive time, but many families took on home projects. “We did have a lot of families doing more home projects—from painting their home to building a tree house,” Lowery said.
Today, Vick Lumber continues to serve a wide range of customers, including commercial homebuilders, individual homeowners, businesses, schools, government entities, and churches.
Inside the main store, customers can find a wide selection of tools, hardware, and home improvement supplies. Building materials such as sheetrock and bagged concrete are available, along with DeWalt power tools, power nail guns, and accessories. The store also carries plumbing and electrical supplies, including PVC pipe, wire, and breaker boxes. “I feel we have a good selection of products, and if a customer brings a list, we can compete with the big lumberyards,” Lowery said.
The paint center is another important part of the business, with Benjamin Moore paints available in a variety of colors and finishes. Employees are available to help customers with their paint needs.
Outside, the covered lumberyard stretches across approximately an acre and carries yellow pine, fir, treated lumber, and a variety of plywood, along with cedar planks and birch plywood.
Giving back to the community is an important part of Vick Lumber. The Lowerys and the Vick Lumber team are strong supporters of local youth and community organizations. They particularly enjoy supporting the young people who participate in the local fair, purchasing projects from students who have worked hard, spending countless hours preparing for their moment in the showring.
Vick Lumber is also a strong supporter of Sidewalk Cattlemen’s events, including purchasing projects and participating in the organization’s efforts.
The company supports the Madisonville, Midway, North Zulch, and Normangee fire departments, the local Hispanic Heritage organization, local school students, and a variety of school and community organizations.
For the Lowerys, supporting the community isn’t simply about writing a check. They enjoy being involved and finding ways to support the people and organizations that make Madisonville and the surrounding area special.
That same generosity extends to the Vick Lumber employees. At the Sidewalk Cattlemen’s dinner, Vick Lumber purchases two tables. But the order of things is important: the employees are invited, and their attendance is confirmed first. Only then do Randy and Rita invite a few friends to fill the remaining seats.
The Lowerys also enjoy doing the little things for their team. On Wednesdays, employees get drinks. Fridays often mean breakfast, and on Saturdays, Randy makes a run to McDonald’s to bring breakfast back for the crew. Those small gestures reflect the same philosophy they have toward their customers—people matter.
Forty-two years in a business is bound to produce some memorable moments. One night, Lowery received a call from the police informing him that the door at Vick Lumber was open. “I got there, we inspected everything and thankfully, nothing was missing,” he recalled.
He isn’t completely sure how the door was left unsecured, but he has a pretty good idea. “Let’s just say one of our employees may have accidentally forgotten to secure that door before leaving,” he said with a laugh. Everyone had a good laugh about it—and the story became just another memory in the long history of Vick Lumber.
There have been other unusual customer requests over the years, too. “More than once, we have had a customer come in and want to trade something…something they bought elsewhere,” Lowery said. Rarely does the store say no, although he admits there have been a few exceptions.
After 42 years at Vick Lumber, Lowery watched Madisonville change. One of the biggest differences he notices is the weekend traffic. “It isn’t what it used to be,” he said. “We are grateful for every single person that comes in our store—we just remember the hustle and bustle our town had ‘back in the day.’”
Randy and Rita are optimistic about Madisonville’s future. They recognize the efforts of the City of Madisonville and the Madisonville Area Revitalization Initiative to bring new experiences, opportunities, and events to the community. “We know the City of Madisonville and our MARI are putting a strong focus on breathing new life into our town, and it shows,” he said.
When asked what has kept him going all these years—including through the difficult days of COVID—Lowery answered with his characteristic humor. “Well, we need to eat!” he said with a laugh.
There is more to it than that. “We always want to be helpful to everybody we can.” That simple statement may best explain why Vick Lumber has remained a part of our area communities for so many decades.
It isn’t just about lumber, paint, plumbing supplies, tools or hardware. It is about helping someone select the perfect paint, build a lemonade stand, complete a construction project, or figure out which product will work best for the job.
It is about knowing customers by name.
It is about employees who have become family.
It is about supporting kids at the fair, local organizations, fire departments, schools and community events.
Sometimes, it is simply about watching someone walk out the door with a smile. “You will often catch us smiling as a customer leaves,” Lowery said. “And that is because that customer is smiling and satisfied. At the end of the day, that’s what it is all about.”
The story of Vick Lumber began with M.Y. Vick and his family, continued through the Jasters, and now rests with Randy and Rita Lowery and their team.
As the business looks toward the future, the Lowerys hope it continues to expand while keeping service to the community as its number one priority.
Nearly a century after M.Y. Vick first opened the doors, Vick Lumber remains what it has always been at its heart—a hometown business built around people, relationships, hard work and a willingness to help. For Randy and Rita Lowery, carrying that tradition forward is important. And after 42 years, they still want to be here, helping their customers, supporting their community, and watching people walk out the door with a smile.
206 W Magnolia St
Madisonville, TX 77864
(936) 348-3522
vicklumber.com
