Strategies Spring 2026_No Crops

CUSTOMER PROFILE

A Leap of Faith

Blish-Mize Powers Expansion for Missouri Retailer

The Branson West location marks 417 Lumber’s move from a warehouse-first operation to a contractor-focused showroom built for growth.

W hen Tom Phelps opened 417 Lumber in 2021, he had a plan, a small team and no credit history. What he was missing was a supplier willing to trust his vision. Then Blish-Mize stepped up to the plate.

store in Branson West, Missouri, a larger site aimed at contractors and homeowners looking for a hands-on product experience. Building From the Ground Up Phelps’ partnership with Blish-Mize helped him open his first location in Kirbyville, Missouri, which was set up as a warehouse-first operation to supply the never-ending multifamily construction happening in the area. It wasn’t flashy, but it gave Phelps immediate momentum.

“I sold my house to buy trucks and equipment,” Phelps says “Blish-Mize listened to what I wanted to build and took a leap of faith. That meant everything. Without that early support from Blish-Mize, 417 Lumber doesn’t happen.” That early support from Janet Elias, retired regional sales manager, and Clay Uhrmacher, Blish-Mize vice president of sales and marketing, shaped the beginning of 417 Lumber’s first

location. Now, it anchors the opening of the company’s new

20 Spring 2026 • Hardlines Strategies