Do It Center begins remodel of old car dealership in SLT
By Kathryn Reed
Work has begun on transforming the old South Shore Motors building into a Do It Center.
The locally controversial chain store based in Southern California is expected to open this summer – a year later than it had wanted to. Disagreements between store owners, South Lake Tahoe officials and nearby businesses led to months of back-and-forth arguments and petitions to ban the store from opening.
Shane Guzman works on the exterior of the Do It Center this week. Photos/Kathryn Reed
The City Council finally ruled that a general merchandise store could go in at the Lake Tahoe Boulevard location. Ace Hardware, which is kitty corner to the new store, is considered general merchandise.
It was another 3-2 vote last fall to deny the last appeal. Only this time it was Councilmen Bill Crawford and Bruce Grego in the minority.
Scotty’s Hardware and Meeks Lumber were vocal that Do It Center would bring unfair competition to their respective businesses as well as other construction/home improvement related stores in the area.
The one thing Do It Center can’t sell as a general merchandise store is lumber. This means Meeks Lumber continues to have a monopoly on that product.
The irony is John Carricaburu, the general contractor from Gardnerville hired to remodel the building, is going to Meeks for his lumber needs.
It's a construction zone inside the old South Shore Motors buidling.
Carricaburu this week told Lake Tahoe News that Do It Center officials want to use as many local workers as he can hire and told him to buy local when possible. Axelson Irons Shop Welding will be doing work and South Shore Glass has a contract.
Mike Mauck, senior vice president and general manager for Do It Center, had little to say when contacted by Lake Tahoe News. He wouldn’t confirm the projected opening month of July.
Work on the exterior will begin May 1 when the building season begins in the Lake Tahoe Basin per Tahoe Regional Planning Agency regulations. The crack-filled asphalt parking area extends to the Cardinale auto dealer building.
John Carricaburu shows what the buidling will look like.
Carricaburu said it’s possible all the parking lot work the city wants done could cost $100,000. He didn’t have an estimate for how much money will be spend on getting the interior and exterior of the building suitable and looking more appealing.
On the roof, a 20-foot-by-20-foot tower will be built for the store’s sign.
Oh no we are not going to improve the shopping at the lake, what next stores that really appreciate customers, price competition?
I thought this idea had totally died, It’s good to hear it made it through. I’m glad to see the growth, and that a company has faith in our community.
This was the “right” thing to do, you can’t protect existing businesses by keeping all others from coming in, that would be a disservice to the community.
I hope our existing stores can hold their own, and be ready to make changes to adjust to the new business climate. I wish them all the best.
Finally a place that might have some inventory to choose from.
I do a lot business with the hardware store at the Crescent v……I have to admit they are very friendly ,have about anything you need, go the extra step to try help you.I’ll give the 2 1/2 stars out 3.
When all the old guys at Nels quit ,the place got sold ,it was never the same.They do have a nice garden center.
Limiting what the do it center will sell is total baloney!! Why does this town continue to give Meeks a monopoly on lumber. Meeks is a total rip off and this town deserves better!! This town deserves a choice of lumber suppliers.
I had not heard that Meeks was vocal about unfair competition. How can 1 Do It Center lead to unfair competition when there are 2 Meeks. I guess this really shows that Meeks knows it is over priced! Meeks does and will continue to have NO competion on the south shore for lumber sales. This is another example of the really poor city council! Thank your city council for looking out for the locals once again!
When Diamond lumber was out in Myers that had a nice staff ,fair prices, but at that time we were going into a building moratorium because the trpa, they ended up closing, then a few others tired but couldn’t hang on either.
I still say no to a lot the things the trpa has done to all us locals over the years and will continue to in the future.It’s been very costly to all us.
No Lumber sales? Due to Meeks? come on now Council members!
General Merchandise and Nursery.
Glad their coming in!
When I think of a monopoly I think of high prices and poor service. I recently compared Meek’s to Home Depot down the hill. Meek’s was cheaper on both the 2×4’s and sheet goods that I needed for my project. Oh, and by the way I could actually find someone to help me.
Maybe you should get your facts straight before complaining.
Who is Meek’s? For those who don’t know I will tell you. Meek’s is a family owned business that was established in 1919. Meek’s operates 13 locations in N.Cal,N. Nevada and 37 locations in Missouri and Arkansas.
Meek’s has been a steady employer and major source of tax revenue for South Lake Tahoe since 1959.
Meek’s is a part of this community and tries hard to be a good neighbor. Meek’s actively supports local charities and has donated materials for hundreds of community improvement projects.Every year Meek’s donates nearly all the materials needed for the floats used in the high schools Home Coming Parade. During the Angora Fire Meek’s donated thousands of dollars worth of tools and materials for the clean up.
After the fire many of the victims lost all their trade tools and equipment. Meek’s sold replacement tool’s at cost to anyone who asked.
Does this sound like a huge uncaring monopoly? Meek’s compete’s with other lumber yards and home centers in every market including South Lake. Any day of the week you can see delivery trucks from Home Depot, Lowes and out of town lumber yards.
Meek’s didn’t cause Diamond Lumber to go out of business. Diamond went under due to poor business practices. Meek’s simply filled a need when they took over the operation.
For those that think Meek’s is over priced and gouging the citizens of Lake Tahoe, I would tell you that in a good year, after all the hard work, net profit is as little as 2%. Imagine what it is during these difficult times.
Even so Meek’s is extremely price sensitive and actively shops Home Depot and Lowes to stay competetive. Also Meek’s has centralized pricing on lumber and does not charge more in South Lake than they do at other locations. Even though it cost more to do business in South Lake. You only have to look at the gas prices here to figure that out.
Meek’s has weathered many economic storms
during it’s 51 years in South Lake. To be fair Meek’s has also benefitted from the boom years.
No matter what the economy is doing Meek’s has extended no interest credit to hundreds of contractors and local businesses over the years. Allowing them to take on jobs they otherwise might not have been able too and as a result grow their businesses.
Meek’s is proud to serve the residents of Lake Tahoe and looks forward to another 51 years helping our customers build their dreams.
Don Etheridge
Store Sales Manager
South Lake Tahoe and Meyers
I work(ed) at the Valencia location which is being shut down. The Do it Center really is the worst of the worst to it’s employees. I have never felt less significant to a companies success than when I was an employee here. They use underhanded tactics when dealing with other companies like Home Depot and they continually lie to other community figures when it comes to their operations. An example is the pallets of free light bulbs they got from Southern California Edison that they turn around and ship to other stores for the purpose of selling.
Well Don, just this past weekend I priced 4 X 9 osb siding at Meeks, 8 inch on center, about $53 a sheet. Lowes, About $32!! Think how much I would save if I need 40 sheets to do a house! That’s $840.00 on one item!! No wonder you see Lowes and Home Depot trucks in Tahoe!!!
Lets throw Scottys into the mix. A gallon bucket of driveway patch- $14.99
Same bucket at Lowes- $9.98!!