Plantation Lumber & Hardware owner Dallas Daniel threw a dinner party Thursday night and invited around 400 of his closest friends.
The dinner party was really the annual open house the company throws for the community as a way to thank the people of Richmond Hill and Bryan County for their continued support.
“This is the 10th year we’ve been hosting an open house here. It seems to get bigger every year,” Daniel said. “It’s our way of showing the community what we have to offer and thanking them for their continued support at the same time.”
Plantation, located on Ford Avenue, opened in Richmond Hill in 2003. The store employs 18 full- and part-time employees and has more than 5,000 items for sale in the sales building.
In addition to the open house, the gathering doubled as the venue for the monthly Business After Hours gathering sponsored by the Richmond Hill-Bryan County Chamber of Commerce.
“The chamber is doing some really good things. If you’re a local business and not a member, you’re missing out,” Daniel said.
Daniel, originally from Metter, said his business is doing well enough that he is looking at an expansion of the existing location or, perhaps, a second location.
“We’re looking at all the possibilities. We own the vacant lot next door and could expand onto that lot. I would also consider opening a second store. We’ve just had the best first quarter we’ve had in years,” he said.
“That wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the local community. I want a customer’s shopping experience here to be a positive one.”
In addition to a standard hardware line, Daniel said the store offers quality paints, “Big Green Egg” grills, along with everything needed to build a weekend shed to a custom home.
The company also offers a full line of lumber supplies and an equipment rental service that should satisfy the needs of most homeowners and homebuilders.
“The open house is just our way of thanking people making us their local hardware and lumber company,” Daniel said.