Spring 2022 Hardlines Strategies

CUSTOMER PROFILE

A Soaring Success RAKS Building Supply Grows With Central New Mexico

In recent years, the Albuquerque metropolitan area has enjoyed a period of growth due to more affordable land costs and lower taxes. This has contributed to the suburban sprawl, and even film studios such as streaming service Netflix have expanded in the area, contributing to the local construction boom. Family-owned and operated RAKS Building Supply has made a name for itself in central New Mexico through its robust product selection, including lumber, and its customer service. The RAKS stores serve a wide range of customers, from the professionals and contractors to the weekend warriors— and yes, even Netflix Studios, Warner Bros. Pictures, Bride Lake Productions and Amazon Studios. may look familiar if you’re a fan of the TV series “Breaking Bad.” R AKS Building Supply in Los Lunas, New Mexico,

building, it came complete with roller rink equipment. In 1996, Richie and Kenny added an 18,765-square-foot addition to the store for more retail space and a garden center, bringing the store’s sales area to over 28,000 sq. ft. In the 35 years since RAKS first opened for business, the operation has grown to include five locations, with stores in Los Lunas, Albuquerque, Edgewood and Socorro. Each location has a lumberyard. The Rio Bravo location in Albuquerque, one of two locations in the city, features a truss plant. The 12th Street Albuquerque location has a window department and is focused on leading customers through the home-building process. The Los Lunas location sees more retail traffic, in part due to the store’s large garden center. The Edgewood location supports the building boom in Torrance County. And the Socorro location does a lot of business with the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Kerry says that seeing homeowners build their dream home inspires Richie and Kenny—and the entire RAKS team— to make RAKS the best building supplier in the community.

“We like to provide that small-town, local feel when you visit any of our locations,” says Kerry Trujillo, RAKS digital media manager. “Our customers have come to expect quality customer service, whether they are working on a new home build or a remodel. Our customers are ready to take on projects big and small.” It Started With a Log The RAKS company name is an acronym that includes each of the owners’ first initials: Richie Tabet, Ana Trujillo, Kenny Trujillo and Sue Tabet. Previous generations of the Tabet and Trujillo families owned hardware stores and lumberyards in Valencia County, New Mexico. Richie and Kenny have both worked their entire lives in the building material and home improvement industry and remain active in the day-to-day operations at RAKS. The grand opening of the first RAKS location took place in January 1986 in Los Lunas, New Mexico. To mark the occasion, instead of cutting a ceremonial ribbon, Richie and Kenny cut through a log. The original Los Lunas location was previously a 10,000-square-foot roller rink, and when they purchased the

RAKS owners Richie and Kenny are pictured at the RAKS Los Lunas grand opening in 1986. Instead of cutting a ceremonial ribbon, they cut through a log.

Hardlines Strategies • Spring 2022 39