Editor:

Richard started Community Lumber in 1979 with an idea of how to bring reasonably priced building materials to Idyllwild and make a living here. Richard and Karin met in 1980 and joined together in life and in business. We met Eduardo in 1984, and together over more than three decades nurtured that seed of a good idea as it grew and evolved into something much more — a trusted place to do business for sure, but also a place where friends meet and share their lives with one another. A place with laughter and caring. A place where people come for materials and advice while turning their project ideas into reality. A place where people rent U-Haul equipment to help with their lives’ transitions. Community Lumber has become so much more than just a way to make a living. Our lives have been enriched and transformed by the experiences we have had here, serving our community while learning about ourselves, raising our family, and being part of this very special town.

As much as we enjoy our work, it is not time for us to retire and begin the next part of our lives. The part that gives us time to do the things we weren’t able to do while working six days a week, like spending time with family and friends, devoting energy to our own many unfinished projects, relaxing at our Alabama cabin, finding new ways to be of service to our community, hiking and exploring close to home, and seeing the country. We plan to close Community Lumber by the end of December. Until then, we will give you the best service and prices ever while reducing our inventory and continuing to special order any materials you may need that we do not have in stock. We will still offer almost everything you need, along with the friendship and good advice you know you can always find here. We hope you will support us now as you have all along and help us to close our gate for the last time with our inventory sold.

More than anything else. we will truly miss our daily contact with you. You are what made Community Lumber such a fun and successful adventure. We want to continue our friendships with you but will have to find other ways to do that, and we hope that you will help us figure out how. Maybe a shared meal, an evening of conversation, a walk in the woods. We look forward to spending time with you in a different way.

Sincerely and with much love,

Karin & Richard Greenwood

Idyllwild