Home Again by Hancock Lumber

One Year Anniversary

2011-04-17T21:44:00.000-04:00

In the year that Home Again by Hancock Lumber has been open, we have increased our staff of experts to Six Kitchen Designers, Two Window & Door Specialists and One Project Pro. It is with their unequaled commitment, as well as those individuals behind the scenes; that we continue to meet & exceed our goals. Home Again has been recognized by Window & Door Magazine as Dealer of the Year and was chosen for the Window & Door Magazine cover shot.

We've hosted numerous events including Cooking Classes, Ladies Nights, Builder & Architect Nights, and several luncheons with many of the industry's dignitaries. Partnering with Plain & Fancy Cabinetry, we hosted a Home Office Design Contest with Danica Jacobson's design being chosen by the panel of experts. The office buildout is slated for mid-June with a photo-shoot for Plain & Fancy's national advertising immediately following. For our community outreach, we have partnered with The Wounded Heroes of Maine including taking part in their Indoor Yard Sale, Holiday Gift Drive, Bike Run and Wreaths Across America.

Our new Home Show Booth was launched at the first show of the season in February of this year at the Civic Center. Not only was the booth the best in show, but we held great mini-seminars throughout the show in our booth. At the Expo's Portland Home Show, our TimberTech Deck display and Outdoor Island added yet one more dimension to the Home Again experience. Plans are underway for our Outdoor Living space in front of the store that will include another Design Contest among our designers, judged by a panel of experts including the product manufacturers. All of our vendors have collaborated to make this our next big thing that will continue to make Home Again the place homeowners come to for all of their projects, both inside and outside their home.

We'll be at the Falmouth Kitchen & Tasting Tour May 6th & 7th. Please take a moment to get your tickets and help support The Preble Street Maine Hunger Initiative Did I mention our traveling kitchen that will be debuting at the Maine Home, Garden & Flower Show at the Fryeburg Fairgrounds, May 13th - 15th? (Click here for discount coupon) Then we're off to the Maine Home & Garden's Mid-Coast Home Show in Lincolnville, June 11th & 12th. Stop in and visit us at our showroom (we're open 7 days a week) as well as any of our appearances across the state.

Thanksgiving Cometh

2010-11-21T19:32:00.000-05:00

As we approach the official beginning of the holiday season, it always causes me to pause and take time to consider all that I have to be thankful for. This year especially, has brought about many changes and opportunities personally as well as professionally. From the standpoint of our new showroom, it has been something one can hardly describe. A whirlwind of activity, events, meetings, more events, and let's not forget lots and lots of customers walking through our doors and even a National Award as Best Showroom from Window & Door Magazine.

In an economy that is still inching toward climbing out of the recession; being busy in itself is a really huge blessing. Customers by the car load, coming in to check out our great new showroom that allows one to dream the dreams that turn into the plans that wind up being the heart of their home or making it warm and snug in the harshest of winters. Often times, it's a couple walking in our doors to do a little 'research', then he smells the freshly baked cookies, hears the sound of the football game on the Big Screen TV and says. "I'll be over here while you look around", with a smile on his face. She sees colors and designs that speak to her and spark that idea of what her new kitchen might look like. At Home Again we recognize that we all need permission to dream a little, in a space that was made with that in mind.

Then the amazing staff of Home Again reminds me just how fortunate I am to be surrounded by people who care; not only about the services they provide, and our customer's happiness, but about their fellow employees as well. I don't know how it gets better than that, and for that I'm especially thankful. Having been on this amazing ride of a newly formed entity within a company that has been around for over 150 years has been more than any of us could have imagined.

On that note, I will sign out as I am cooking an Un-Thanksgiving lunch for everyone at Home Again tomorrow with Turkey Chili & Johnny Cake. If you're in the neighborhood, stop in for a bowl full. I'm thankful for my wonderful families, both at home and at work; so what are you thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Fall Happenings At Home Again

2010-07-25T09:37:00.002-04:00

Here we are in the middle of one of the hottest summers we all remember and we at Home Again are planning our Fall/Winter activities. Let me tell you, I'm so excited I can hardly wait! You're probably thinking something like, "Tell us what you're so excited about that you felt it worthy of Blogging about, and it better be good."

First comes our Cooking Classes. We're meeting this week to go over the final details for the website and handouts about the classes, so that should be available shortly. The two initial classes (Aug 13 & 27) are being co-hosted by Jane St.Pierre from Kitchen & Cork in Scarborough. The dishes she'll be cooking up sound fabulous and I'll just bet it will be a full house.

The first round of classes will be on Friday evenings from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. with some delicious Wine Tastings paired to go with the sampling of the menu items. I can only imagine that this will become a real happening on Friday nights in 'SoPo'. Think of the different groups we can focus around: Ladies Night Out, Date Night, Theme Cooking . . . well you see the list goes on and on! Watch for sign up info coming soon on our website www.homeagainbyhancocklumber.com.

Then comes the television show we're working on with Executive Producer, Chris Bohler from Emmy Award Winning, Bohler Productions. "Cooking At Home Again" will be filmed right in Home Again's working kitchen with a live audience. Each show will feature 4 area Chefs, each with their own segment showcasing their favorite dishes, in the hour long program. We'll also have a Kitchen Design Tips segment from our Kitchen & Bath Designers, Installation Tips on what elements to consider when installing your new kitchen from our Installation Manager, as well as a piece on the latest Kitchen Gadgets from one of the local experts. When I read all of that, I can hardly wait to watch it. Cooking channel, look out!

Obviously we have lot's going on at Home Again by Hancock Lumber; so stay tuned, keep your eyes and ears open, and stop on over for some home grown hospitality (and start dreaming about your new kitchen). Until next time . . .

3,2,1, and Action!

2010-07-05T12:00:00.000-04:00

Home Again by Hancock Lumber has its first Magazine Feature Clip finalized and ready for prime time. The process wasn't difficult, and the subject matter seemed easy to come by; but making it interesting seemed nearly effortless, thanks to the professionals at WPXT. What an amazing group to work with. From our segment host, Tory Ryden, to our sales rep, Muriel McDonald and everyone in-between.

Captivating your viewing audience is always in the back of your mind as the creative is worked on. But honestly; sharing the homeowner's experience is really the compelling story, and one that is easy to tell. We love having customer's come into the showroom and not want to leave. That mean's we've done something right. We get how you want to shop. A relaxed atmosphere, that really feels like home.

Home Again's Segment on WPXT's "OurMaine Homes" Take a peek, see if you agree; then stop on in ,and we'll get planning your next project! See you soon . . .

Getting our Groove On

2010-06-13T07:44:00.000-04:00

Once the party schedule died down and the staff all started to settle into their routines, is when the job of being Home Again by Hancock Lumber really began. As much effort as had been put into designing, building, setting up, getting ready and launching the business; doing business requires far more effort, than all that previously mentioned, combined.

First everyone on the team needs to understand their role, the rules, the backend processes, and their teammates. Then of course, all of the periphery needs to be addressed. Things like the finalization of new vendors, product training, marketing campaigns, systems training, and did I mention the budget? After all, as much fun as creating a new business is; the real purpose is to add to, not take away from, the bottom line.

Today we mark the beginning of our 8th week of having our doors open. In these busy days we have hosted; 7 Open Houses, the Board of Directors, a film crew, our first cooking demonstration, industry dignitaries, civic group meetings, and thousands of customers coming through our doors. On top of all of that, the Home Again staff is starting to understand what teamwork means on this scale. We are all busier than we might have thought, and at times we wouldn’t have considered peak traffic moments. There might be lulls in the day where we catch our breath, but then the next wave of excited homeowners start to pour through the doors.

Looking back over the past 6 months, since the inception for this business model became a reality; it feels appropriate to re-use that old 1968 advertising phrase, “You’ve come a long way, baby.” As we get our groove on, figure things out, develop routines, learn the inter-company ropes; just imagine what the next six months will bring! There’s no stopping us now, ♪♫ “We’ve only just begun” ♫♪ (that was Karen Carpenter singing for us).

Until next time . . .

Build It and They Will Come

2010-05-09T19:04:00.000-04:00

And come they did. As we begin to settle down from the Grand Opening festivities we can take the time to reflect on what we've heard from all of the wonderful people who came by to see what was happening at Home Again. We had a great Live Remote with Matty Jeff from WPOR and a special visit from Slugger. Guy & his son grilled up a ton of burgers and dogs (sorry Slugger), Rob popped batch after batch of popcorn; while the rest of the team scurried around making sure everyone was well fed, and had been introduced to just the right team member for their project.

We loved hearing the comments from home owners. They appreciated the comfortable setting, the knowledgeable staff, the great displays; but most of all, the way they were treated. "When we walked through the door, we were treated like family." "Welcome to Home Again, what projects bring you in today? Care for a cup of coffee and a freshly baked cookie?" The kids color or play on the Wii while their parents get all of their questions answered and start to relax about what was once a worrisome project.

Several folks have told us this is the first place they have ever gone that had answers to all of their questions as home owners, and staff members that truly cared about their project. One of our visitors said that the friendliness of everyone in the showroom made the visit so pleasant, they are looking forward to coming back again; and will definitely tell their friends.

Visiting chef, Jane St. Pierre from Kitchen & Cork preparing delicacies in the working kitchen was a huge hit as well. We're putting together special events in our kitchen with lunch and learn demonstrations, so stay tuned for more details coming soon. The tantalizing aromas wafting into the rest of the store completes the whole experience of Home Again, for sure. Thank you to all who stopped by during our Grand Opening events. We look forward to working with you on those projects you have in mind!! If you missed the festivities, not to worry! We are open 7 days a week. We'll keep the light on, and the coffee hot!

Grand Opening Week

2010-05-04T05:35:00.002-04:00

Well, it's finally here, Grand Opening Week. We have all been scurrying about to get this and that done, that part in place, this display finished; and we're almost there. The working kitchen will get all of it's finishing touches on Wednesday and then we'll be ready to go. The outside looks good and the inside looks even better.

Interestingly enough, something more important than looking good has happened though. It feels good when you walk through the door. When you enter into an unfamiliar place, you are immediately surrounded by the vibe of the space. Sometimes, we disregard that feeling if it isn't quite right, just so we can get our business done. Other times, that feeling strongly influences us as to whether we stay a few minutes or for a long stretch. In the two weeks we've been open, we've been asking visitors what the place feels like to them, and the only response we've heard, is that it feels very comfortable and welcoming. I don't think it get's better than that.

So now, we throw open the doors to everyone, shouting it from the rooftops. Stop in and experience Maine's newest shopping experience for your new Windows & Doors and Kitchens & Baths. Whether your planning a new home, or making your old home new again, at Home Again we can help you choose just the right things to make that happen.

First is the Ribbon Cutting on Thursday, then we have an Open House for all the Hancock Lumber employees and families, to come in for a visit, and see just what all the fuss is about. Finally on Saturday, we round out the week of festivities with our Grand Opening. We'll be BBQ-ing, having a scavenger hunt, giving away great door prizes, WPOR will be stopping by, and a very special visit from Portland Sea Dog's, Slugger. Now that is a fun packed day if I ever heard one. I hope you'll stop by and join in the fun.

See you at Home Again . . .

Open For Business

2010-04-27T02:23:00.003-04:00

We officially opened our doors on Monday, April 19th. Many of the final details were almost done, which is why they call it a "soft opening" in the industry. You're open for business, with a few pieces still coming together to complete the look. The response has been overwhelming in a very good way. Customers walk through the door and immediately feel at ease. They're bringing their kids and breath a sign of relief that we have coloring books, puzzles, and even a Wii to occupy them, while Mom & Dad work on the details of their new kitchen or choose the windows for the addition.

The So. Portland police officers stop in for a chat and a cup of coffee, just to say Hi and welcome us to the neighborhood. We're even getting our mail and UPS deliveries, so that feels pretty official. We had our weekly "huddle" yesterday morning to see how things went the previous week and we were all very happy with the results all across the board.

The stories were much the same from the whole staff. Customers are excited to shop in our new location. They love the atmosphere and the special 'one on one' attention they receive for their project/s. Very often they come in looking at one project and find out we can take care of two or three different things, all in one friendly place with professionals that really know the products inside and out.

Now it's time to throw open the doors, roll out the red carpet, and welcome all of our various customer groups. We have quite a lineup of events planned:

HOME AGAIN OPENING FESTIVITIES

April 28^th Contractor Night 4:00 – 6:30

May 6^th Ribbon Cutting 4:00 – 6:30

May 7^th Hancock Lumber Employee Open House 4:00 – 7:00

May 8^th Grand Opening 10:00 – 6:00 ALL DAY EVENT

May 12^th Thank You Party – Trades/Employees 4:00 – 6:00

May 19^th Architect/Interior Designer Open House 4:00 – 7:00

May 26^th Property Manager/Realtor Open House 4:00 – 7:00

We hope to see you at many of them. We'll have lots of fun, good food and great times! Come on by for a visit, we're open 7 days a week!

About to Launch

2010-04-18T04:04:00.000-04:00

I was just thinking about all of the things we need to do today; like make a list of all the special cleaning surfaces - granite, flat panel TV's, special films on glass, what products need to be used to clean them, and who needs to know that; when it hit me. I wasn't expecting the rush of emotion, but at the end of today, we're launching a brand new entity to the world. When we walk through the doors tomorrow, we're open for business. It never even dawned on me that I would be feeling like this. When you think about it though, a whole lot of blood, sweat, and tears have gone into making this happen. Geez, here come the crocodile tears again . . . better get that taken care of now, or I'll be a mess later on!

It's a lot like having a baby. We're at the due date and everyone is asking if we're going to be on time and then answer is "We'd better be". Then there is the element of being so excited to see what it looks like when it's all finished. Every part of this last week has seen so many huge changes, as everything comes together. The signage going in was a really big thing. The window displays getting finished, the counter tops being installed, the sitting areas, all the chairs . . . it's really quite an amazing experience to be a part of. The things that moved over from our Windham Kitchen Center and from the old Window & Door showroom brought so many elements to the picture. And each and every thing is important in the over all feeling of the place.

There was a husband and wife that walked in yesterday, and looked rather puzzled as they glanced around. I asked if I could help them, and they said someone had told them we would be opening on Thursday; and they come in to talk with someone about a counter top. Quickly, I apologized for the misunderstanding, as we were finishing up (obviously) for Monday's opening. I laughed and said that all of the staff was here working feverishly, and that I could surely find someone to help them; if they could ignore our mess and the way we all looked.

I offered them a cup of coffee and while they sat on one of the beautiful new sofas in the front sitting area, as Dustin helped them choose the slate counter top they were looking for. While he was calling the supplier to check on availability, I sat down with them, and asked what it felt like to be there; since they were our first customers. You know what they said? They said that it "felt real comfortable, just like home." I knew right then, we did it!

Until next time . . .

Cheers for Home Again

2010-04-12T22:02:00.000-04:00

As we wrapped up the three day Portland Home Show, we had a visit by none other than two of the New England Patriots' Cheerleaders. Of course, this made the crew very happy, and certainly helped them forget those tired feet and the Master's Tournament they were missing.

The bonus for me was that move out went very quickly, in part thanks to this burst of energy and enthusiasm. It was so nice of the girls to stop by for this picture and even nicer that our guys were willing to pose for pictures - with smiles no less. I will warn you, don't try this at home and expect the same results, however. Cheers!

What a Difference a Day Makes

2010-04-11T04:51:00.000-04:00

Nearly three months to the day from the first time I saw the rendering of the facade, here it is; looking absolutely beautiful! It has been a remarkable transformation from what was a tired looking building, into a real eye catcher. Whether you are zooming by on the Maine Turnpike or cruising the Maine Mall Road, it looks amazing. Even though I wasn't able to be there Thursday during the raising of the trusses, our GC Mike Meyer, was kind enough to take pictures throughout the process and send them to me. Looked smooth as butter and is sweet eye candy when done. Hats off to the whole team that worked to make this happen. Staining, rebracketing, welding, bracing; did I mention design (thank you Bill Bridges) and then the dance to get them in place! Wow, what a process. Job well done!

Next we will see the pylon sign go through its metamorphis, and become the show stopper. Our Marketing and Communications Director, Erin Plummer; has worked tirelessly to get the sign right, Let me tell you, it will be a masterpiece of branding, aesthetics, and electronic wizardry! I cannot wait to see it come to life, from the paper version to the real deal. I don't think anyone will be able to miss it once it's finished; but I think that's the point, right?

For more pictures of the entire process, be sure to check out our FaceBook page and then click the pictures tab. It's been a lot of fun keeping a photo journal of the progress. Plus, people from all over can keep up to date on the latest in the buildout. This coming week will probably be one of the most active for the Home Again Gang, as we plan to have the doors open next Monday. We won't have everything in place, but the majority of the things needed to operate will be in place, and we're very excited to make the move over. Finally we will all be in one place! We can't wait to issue the invitations, and then greet you at the door; "Welcome to Home Again by Hancock Lumber". Sounds so nice, doesn't it?

Till next time . . .

Trusses Ready and Waiting

2010-04-04T22:06:00.000-04:00

The exterior facade is about to go from a rendering to reality, this week. I for one, am so excited, that I can hardly wait to see this all come together.

Once the trusses get put into place, the cupola will then be mounted into it's new home, atop the trusses. All this sitting on the beautiful log beams, will surely be a stunning entryway into Home Again by Hancock Lumber.

When I saw the mansard roof redone with the faux slate shingles, I knew we were onto something good. And when I stopped by on Saturday to look at the trusses I knew this was going to be absolutely stunning when completed. Imagine driving by on I-95 and seeing this beacon telling you there is something new and wonderful happening on Maine Mall Road! Can't wait . . .

How Much Paint did the Painter Paint?

2010-03-31T18:59:00.000-04:00

As Don was finishing the final coat of red paint on the largest wall; I asked just how much paint he had used on this job. He paused for a moment and said, "Oh about 30 gallons or so."

Do you have any idea of how much paint 30 gallons is? I looked it up and one gallon covers approximately 300 sq. feet. In doing the math, that accounts for 9000 sq. feet of painting. We're not talking spraying here either, it was all brush and roller, as we had a ceiling and floor to contend with. It reminded me of the tortoise and the hare, where slow and steady wins the race. Day after day, Don just kept on painting, and painting, and painting.

If patience is a requirement for this job, I'd say this is one man who seem to have an extra helping. "No worries, I'll get it done and if you don't like it we'll just paint over it." Imagine that! Never, "Lady you had better make up your mind as I'm doing this one time only" or anything close.

Well done; hats off for a lovely job, a professional attitude, and for being yet another great addition to the best crew one could ask for in a build out. Color is such a critical element in the atmosphere, and Don; you made our choices come to life. Thank you!

First Home Show - DONE!

2010-03-28T17:31:00.000-04:00

Attending The Maine Home & Garden Show was more than just a homeshow, it was Home Again by Hancock Lumber's first public appearance. Even though we are a brand new team, we all had a wonderful experience, and made a lot of great connections. It's so rewarding to have chosen the team members and then finally see them all in action, doing what they love to do.

Some of the new team members were able to align themselves in partnerships already, which is an indication of just what a powerful group we have assembled. It kind of reminded me of the first days for a new season of the reality show, Survivor. People quickly find who will help them in their game and figure out how to work together. Smart people doing smart things right off the bat. Now that sounds like a winning combination.

In addition to all of that, the attendees seemed in a much more positive spirit than I've seen in a while. There seemed to be a big connection to "nesting" and making their home the place they want to stay. Having our $7500 Dream Kitchen Giveaway, helped people to imagine what that would look like in their home, and that's always a good sign.

So let me ask you; if you won, what would your new kitchen look like? If you didn't make it to this show to register, stop by the Maine Home Show at the Expo in Portland April 9th - 11th or come into our new showroom starting April 19th. You could be the Lucky Winner!!

Maine Home & Garden Show Opens Today

2010-03-26T05:56:00.000-04:00

The entire Home Again Gang is so excited that our debut as Home Again by Hancock Lumber into the community happens today at The Maine Home & Garden Show located at the Maine Mall in So. Portland. (Discount Coupon Available On-Line) We've really pushed the envelope to get all the parts and pieces together for this event, as so many things were close; but not quite finished. We're talking business cards, name tags, branded clothing, banners, marketing collateral, did I mention the booth itself? You get the idea.

There has literally been an army of people scurrying to make this happen. However, the unsung hero in all of this is my partner in crime for this entire project; our Marketing & Communications Director, Erin Plummer. If you ever have the chance to spend 10 minutes with Erin, you'll know you're in the presence of someone special. The volume of marketing projects she has going at one time is staggering plus the fact that she has an infant and toddler, don't escape me as that job alone is enough to topple a small country.

So, Mrs. Plummer; our hats are off to you, for your superior attention to detail ,and your unwavering support of the Home Again by Hancock Lumber venture. Without you, we would not be all that we are already, and we are just beginning. Thank you, Erin! Gotta run, hope to see you all there . . .

Feeling Like Home Again

2010-03-25T05:17:00.000-04:00

It is so amazing to watch things come together and see a vision become real. That being said, it is not without a lot of hard work, but the transformation is amazing to behold. This week has probably seen the most visible change as the painting is nearly done (b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l), kitchens are being installed, windows are going in and the front desk stonework is finished. Watching Mark & Craig from MW Masonry was a real treat as you can appreciate the craftsmanship it takes to go from a pile of stone to this. Quite literally like putting together a puzzle, only 3D and messy.

Next in the planning process are all of the festivities and we've officially inked the dates for all of our opening events:

IMPORTANT DATES:

3/26 - 3/28 - Maine Home & Garden Show | Maine Mall http://www.mainehomeandgardenshow.com/
4/9 - 4/11 - Portland Home Show | Portland EXPO http://www.homeshows.com/portland_home_show.htm
4/19 - OPEN FOR BUSINESS!!! While some of the parts & pieces won’t be complete, we’ll be officially moved in and open for business!
4/28 - Contractor Preview night at Home Again by Hancock Lumber
5/6 - 5/8 - Grand Opening events & celebration. Ribbon cutting on the 6^th, Hancock employee night on the 7^th from 3-8pm, and PUBLIC celebration on Sat. the 8^th.
5/19 - Architect open house at Home Again

Now that all of this is coming together, the other component would be the staff, and our last Kitchen Designer has been hired and begins her career at Home Again by Hancock Lumber today, welcome Sherry McFarland! We're thrilled to have her aboard.

This is a perfect opportunity to introduce the whole Home Again Gang:
Guy Doyon - Window & Door Installation Manager
Avril Murphy - Operations Coordinator
Rob Shubert - Window & Door Specialist
Doug Schauf - Window & Door Specialist
Nick Orlando - Window & Door Specialist
Berta Campbell - Kitchen & Bath Designer
Dustin Draper - Kitchen & Bath Designer
Sherry McFarland - Kitchen & Bath Designer
Barry Wolach - Kitchen & Bath Designer and Showroom Coordinator
Skip Williams - Showroom Coordinator
and bringing up the rear is yours truly, MJ Dillingham, General Manager or better known as the chief cook and bottle washer.

That's all for now, but will add more soon because we have some beauty shots in the making! Can't wait until we can say, come on down for a cup of coffee and a cookie - soon my friend, soon!

Big Logs Comin' In!!

2010-03-18T18:50:00.000-04:00

What an exciting day it was today as I went into Home Again for a couple of meetings. "Bob Rob" and I were walking through the front door, and what to our wondering eyes did appear, but one of the front desk log posts, going into place. I was so excited, I almost didn't get the camera out of my bag in time to take the picture.

While in our meeting, there was a knock at the door and we were asked to help decide on what the second log should look like in place. As in all of nature it has a bit of a crook, but is none the less a beautiful thing and we were asked to help determine just how she would sit in place. What an honor to help decide how this will look for the years to come. Bob & I agreed the column in question needed to have a little bit off the bottom right; which when you're talking about a 10 foot log, it's no small feat to make that "little" adjustment!

Taking her back down, planing off just a little bit more, and now it looks just like it was meant to be there. The logs are in place and while in my other meeting, Bill Bridges, the Project Manager sent me this picture, showing what a spectacular job was done installing natures beauties! As I left for the day, they were both standing proudly erect; where they will be our Sentries, welcoming all who walk through the doors of Home Again by Hancock Lumber.

Home Again's Window Experts

2010-03-17T07:31:00.000-04:00

Once we finalized the members of our Window & Door Specialists team (l-r, Rob Shubert, Guy Doyon, Skip Williams, Nick Orlando, Doug Schauf), our next step was to plan a trip to visit the Mathews Bros. manufacturing plant in Belfast, Maine.

The Hancock Classic Windows are made there, so it was of special interest to see the process from beginning to end for the crew. What none of us knew, was that the feeling of pride, which permeates the entire organization, would rub off on each and every one of us by the time we were through with our visit.

We saw the extra quality steps that go into every window they manufacture; which is no doubt why Hancock Lumber partnered with them to produce our custom line of windows.

But more than the technical side, we saw the people side and were overwhelmed by great attitudes from everyone we met. From the ladies in the glazing area to the guys on the fabrication line; each of them were proud of the products they were part of manufacturing. And if that weren't enough, the management team that took their day to work with us to make sure every member of our team was well educated on their products as we was well fed; were tremendous hosts.

The new displays that will be in the Home Again showroom were hand selected by the team after we saw all of the options available during our visit. If you ever have an opportunity to go to their plant, you will absolutely agree and probably have your own stories to tell as well. Thank you Mathews Brothers and we look forward to sharing your passion for your products with our customers.

The Devil's in the Details

2010-03-12T20:57:00.000-05:00

As we inch closer to the soft opening for Home Again by Hancock Lumber, the amount of details and number of decisions to be made has changed in focus. First, it was where are walls and what will the traffic flow be, then what will we have for displays; and now it's what will the welcome mat look like, and what does the advertising flyer content need to say?

It is absolutely amazing to see a group of people from all parts of the Hancock Lumber organization, band together to make a project this large come together this fast. As people ask about this undertaking, we first must recognize Kevin Hancock's vision that enabled him to take a leap of faith and embark on what would have been a big project during more certain economic times; let alone after what our world has experienced over the last two years. Then comes the support from every corner of a lean organization that is just starting to come out of our country's worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.

Lastly comes the enthusiasm and courage of the team that will come to be known as the Home Again Gang. Truly an inspiring group of professionals that have caught the vision; and are ready, willing, and able to do their part to make this dream come to life. As we round out the dream team for kitchen sellers in conjunction with the window sellers dream team and the few brave souls that make up the support roles both at Home Again and in other Hancock Lumber campuses, we are finalizing all of the last pieces of the puzzle which will soon operate just like clockwork. We'll recall this time of uncertainty and the vast amount of planning that went into making this concept come to life, and know that every single person had a part in making this a reality. Proving once again, just how important each player is on a team. There truly is no "I" in team. Go, Team Home Again, Go!

MJ Dillingham
General Manager
Home Again by Hancock Lumber

Under Construction!!

2010-03-11T21:10:00.000-05:00

We are literally under construction in every facet of this new venture. The new store is coming along beautifully, the collateral is being developed, the staff is being hired and the process is underway. Every day dozens of moving parts are fitting together to weave the the tapestry that is becoming "Home Again by Hancock Lumber".

We started 45 days ago with 11,000 sq. ft. and a concept of providing a better experience for homeowners that don't want to fend for themselves at the big box, don't really want the lumber yard experience; but none the less, need a new kitchen or replacement windows & doors. If you close your eyes and picture yourself at a warm and welcoming log home and how comfortable that makes you feel; you'll know right away how it feels to be sitting on one of our sofa's with a freshly baked cookie, a steaming cup of Green Mountain Coffee watching your floor plan come to life with your designer on one of the 52" flat screen monitors. It will be quite a different experience, one you will probably want to tell your friends about.

We went from a big empty space to metal studs and now, the sheet rock is in place this week. The ceiling should be next, and then the painting will be underway. Most of the final details have been ironed out and soon the fixtures will start to be installed.

Before we know it, the doors will open and a new experience in how Maine & New Hampshire homeowners choose their new Kitchens & Baths and Windows & Doors, will be underway. We hope you will take the opportunity to come in and experience a different way to do business. Your way, when you want it; because "we make it easier".

Check back for more pictures, details and information about the upcoming festivities.

Stay tuned . . .

MJ Dillingham
General Manager
Home Again by Hancock Lumber