History
The History of The Jim Carpenter Co.
James P. Carpenter started Jim Carpenter Company, Inc. in 1955. On August 5, 1974, The Lester Group, Inc. purchased the business, inventory, and equipment from James P. and Frankie (wife) Carpenter.
Mr. Carpenter had changed the name of his company to Madison Materials, Inc. prior to closing, and we initiated a company called Jim Carpenter Company. This way we were able to operate the business under the name people where a accustomed to. At the time of purchase, our company also leased 17 acres of land and the building from Mr. Carpenter, with an option to buy.
On 12/31/75 Jim Carpenter Company purchased 3.542 acres from Mr. & Mrs. Carpenter, and on 5/24/84 purchased the 17.068 acre tract. In August of 1994 the Lester Group started a wholly owned subsidiary, Jim Carpenter Company of Spotsylvania, Inc.
1974, A New Beginning
George W. Lester, II, President of The Lester Group, Inc., announced today(August 5, 1974) that his company had agreed, in principal, to acquire the assets and business of The Jim Carpenter Co., Inc., Madison, VA. Jim Carpenter Co., Inc., will continue to operate under its present name as a division of Lester Home Centers, a member of The Lester Group, Inc. Lester Home Centers are headquarted in Martinsville with builder and consumer oriented home center operations there and in North Carolina.
Jim Carpenter Co. will continue to serve its present trade area consisting of the northen Shenandoah Valley and adjoining portions of West Virginia and Maryland. The company has been in operation for more than 15 years, offering a complete line of lumber and building materials for residential contruction, home improvement and for commercial and farm construction needs.
Lester stated that The Lester Group, in business since 1896, is looking forward to its association with the fine personnel of Jim Carpenter Co. and becoming a part of the business community in Madison and adjoining counties. He also said his company planned no immediate change in operations of products.
