The History of Dyson Building Center
Locally and Family Owned
Established 1954
Competitive Prices
Dyson Building Center is a local, family-owned hardware store on Point Lookout Road in Great Mills, MD. We're one of the oldest hardware stores in the area, and our family continues to operate the store with the same integrity as their parents and grandparents. To understand who we are at Dyson Building Center, it helps to understand our story.
First, check out a video showcasing what we can do for you today. Then, keep reading to learn about the foundation and evolution of Dyson Building Center. We're a family-owned company with competitive prices, and we are excited to keep serving you!
Skip the Big Box Store
Dyson Building Center
The Sawmill
First Generation
Our modern store has a six-acre lumber yard and a storefront with 12,000 square feet. With so much to offer, it can be hard to believe that our origins are so much humbler. The Dyson family business actually got started as a sawmill. The sawmill was in the same location as the modern store, and it was one of the most prominent mills in all of Great Mills, MD.
When the sawmill first opened, it was known as Dyson's Mill. There are early documents showing that Sammy Dyson operated a mobile sawmill in the 1920s. In the 1940s, the Dysons expanded the sawmill to meet the growing demand since Patuxent Naval Air Station opened.
Dyson's Mill was a pioneering force. Although there were many sawmills in the area, Dyson's new 100-horsepower mill was unprecedented. There were few other electric mills in Maryland, and the family had to invest in the property to set up the electrical power needed. By the 1950s and 1960s, Dyson's Mill was already iconic. Children from local schools used to visit the sawmill to see the process in action.
The Hardware Store
Second Generation
LeRoy Dyson helped his father, Sammy, out at a young age. He was already experienced before he joined the service for World War II. After returning from war, LeRoy went back to work for his father at the mill. He married Marie Meise from the eastern shore of Maryland.
Eventually, LeRoy took over the family business from his father, and he and Marie decided it was the time to expand the mill's operation. At this time, they opened a small retail hardware and lumber store. The store opened in 1954 and was known as Dyson Lumber Company. As the store became more profitable, the sawmill business was winding down.
By the 1970s, the mill had closed entirely, and Dyson Lumber Company was thriving. The original store was about 1,000 square feet. Over time, the family continued to build out the store. They added storage buildings to house their building materials, and they were quite successful as Marie and LeRoy raised their eight children, four boys and four girls.
In 1962, the Dyson family had the chance to buy a second location in St. Inigoes, MD. This second store was unique because it was maintained as-is. This made each visit a real experience, giving customers the chance to step back in time. Unfortunately, the St. Inigoes store had to be closed, but the original Dyson Lumber Company store lives on.
Expanding the Store
Third Generation
With eight children, LeRoy and Marie had lots of helpers at the store. While all the kids helped out some, two of the kids knew they wanted to join the business full time. The fourth child was J.C., and he started helping out in his early teens. His older sister, Vi, decided to join the family business after high school. J.C. learned the ins and outs of the hardware store, and Vi helped her mother in the office and served customers alongside her father. Both J.C. and Vi would have a big impact on the store's direction.
By the 1970s, it was becoming clear that the store had outgrown its current space. Therefore, in 1978 and 1979, the Great Mills store was expanded. The new space was 5,000 square feet, and more storage buildings were added to support the business growth. Unfortunately, during this time LeRoy was diagnosed with cancer. Although he fought hard, LeRoy lost his battle in 1982. With his passing, his children stepped up even more. It was 1986 when the family talked about incorporating the business.
In 1987, the incorporation was official, and then another major renovation was planned. During this time of change, the business also changed names. The family decided that Dyson Lumber Company was too narrow of a name now that the store had more to sell. Dyson Building Center more broadly reflected the range of products they carried. Therefore, the store was incorporated as Dyson Lumber Company, Inc. Dyson Building Center was adopted as the trade-only name.
With these changes, Dyson Building Center was ready to serve customers with 12,000 square feet and the same old-fashioned service model they'd had since the start. Dyson Building Center was one of the first small businesses to computerize their systems in the 1980s, and the business made sure to stay up to date with the best technology to serve customers.
Today's Store
Fourth Generation
Dyson Building Center spans four generations. Begun in 1954 by its founders, LeRoy and Marie Dyson, the store is alive and thriving under the leadership of their children, the second generation. The third generation is up and coming. All 16 of LeRoy and Marie's grandchildren have worked at Dyson Building Center over the years, and three of them work full time learning all aspects of the family business. The presence of fourth-generation has arrived and have been working summer jobs here looking towards the future.
This new generation brings new ideas, and they've helped the store continue to grow. In 2015, Dyson Building Center became the first store in St. Mary's County, MD to be 100% powered by solar energy.
Even with all this change, some things have remained the same. Dyson Building Center still offers quality service with the personal touches other companies have neglected. You'll love the atmosphere. When you come to Dyson Building Center, we'll greet you personally.
Our clerks know the business in a meaningful way, and they strive to offer real support when you have questions. On top of all that, we're one of the few businesses in the area that will still offer you a free cup of hot coffee if you visit us in the morning.
We know our history. Now, we're excited to build a better future serving you!
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