Valley Building Supply closes in Waynesboro

By Jimmy LaRoue

Published: November 24, 2008

Valley Building Supply closed its Waynesboro location at 801 Second St. on Monday morning, laying off 19 people and relocating five to six others to its store in Staunton.

The move, according to company president Tom Dawson, was not unexpected by the store’s employees given the slumping economy and the building slowdown.

“Most of them had an idea that it might be coming,” Dawson said. “I don’t think anyone was really caught off-guard. ... It’s pretty obvious when you’re sitting there all day long and customers aren’t pulling up in the driveway that things aren’t going well.”

Dawson said its Staunton location was more centrally located for its customers and the company had to look at what made sense.

“By closing the one, it saves the other one,” Dawson said. “It was a tough decision. It had been there a while and there were a lot of good people there.”

Those calling the Waynesboro location heard a recording announcing the closing.

“Hello, you have reached Valley Building Supply, Waynesboro, Virginia,” the recording said. “Effective today, Monday, November 24, we have consolidated our divisions in order to try to bring you better customer service. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Staunton location at (540) 886-3990 and they will be glad to be of service to you.”

The company has locations in Staunton, Harrisonburg and Orange, as well as a showroom in Fishersville, and with the layoffs, now employs 82 people. He said a severance package was available for laid-off employees. The Waynesboro store had been open at that location for more than 20 years.

With cuts made through 2008, Dawson said the company is in a “good” position to weather 2009.

“I think we’ve done all that we can possibly do to keep the people we have left,” Dawson said.