The long-standing Pratt-Dudley Builders Supply Co. is closing up shop in the coming days. Owner Mark Pratt said the decision is fully his own, and that it’s a happy decision.
“This was a planned thing and is merely a retirement,” Pratt said. “I’m 64, and this is a happy thing, not a sad thing.”
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The lumber market is at an all-time high, so claims that the business was being forced to close are erroneous.
“No doubt, business has been extremely robust. It’s the best in 15 years, probably,” he said. “You might pick up a newspaper where it says lumber prices are double what they used to be — that’s wrong, they’re four-fold. We’re just going out on a good note.”
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Pratt said he is not involved with the future of the property and is focused on getting the business’ closing situated. He added that Augusta was not in the futures of his three children, so passing off the business to them wasn’t in the cards.
In terms of what Pratt has planned for his retirement, he said, “I’ve got a place in Costa Rica and we’re going to move. I’m just tired of working and I’m ready to travel and enjoy life.”
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Pratt-Dudley Builders Supply was founded in 1950 by P.W. Pratt and Fletcher Dudley, according to their website. In 1953, Pratt-Dudley purchased Merry Supplies, a retail operation, providing increased space for supply. In 1957, the business moved to 1002 R.A. Dent Blvd., where it has operated ever since.
The 1970s and 1980s were periods of “continued growth and prosperity” for the company, according to the website. In 1988, Mark Pratt took over for his grandfather and father as president and general manager of the business.
Tyler Strong is the Business Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at tyler@theaugustapress.com.
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