Joe Rogers can tell you a thing or two about the history of Southside Building Center. He’s worked as general manager for 26 years. He started when it was called 109 Building Supply, and when the business was located only on one side of the street.
After a few years, they outgrew the space and expanded across the street where the cabinets and flooring now are. The building was built by GLG Corporation, which owns SSBC. It had been a popular spot for a huge flea market, and one of its biggest draws was that it was climate controlled – the only one like it in North Carolina.
When Joe started in the large, empty building, his office equipment was limited to a key, a desk and a cell phone. He had no lights and no racks for merchandise. He also had no employees. As he was hiring, he recognized that he needed bilingual help.
That’s when he met and hired Augustin who spoke both English and Spanish. Augustin and Joe have worked together and been good friends and business partners ever since.
Joe sold Augustin and his wife Dulce their first home. On the night Augustin’s first daughter, Sol, was born, Joe was at the hospital that night. And by the next day, her name and birth weight were written on the marquee outside Southside Building Center.
When Joe started at 109 Building Supply, lumber was already a big seller. Since Joe had expertise with selling cabinets and flooring, he started stocking and selling those products, too.
Initially they sold pine ‘paint grade’ cabinets from Texas. As freight charges kept increasing, he looked for other products and found a supplier who offered oak cabinets that were already stained, were better quality, and cost 20% less than the other cabinets. This savings was passed along to the customer.
The success with the cabinets led Joe to find bargains with even more building supplies, including the ever popular laminate floors, which has proven to be a huge favorite with Southside Building Center customers.
When Joe’s not busy at Southside helping customers, he likes to spend time with his daughter, Angela, son-in-law, Brian and two granddaughters, Isabel and Lucy. The youngest granddaughter, just adopted from Ethiopia is being introduced to her community gradually. Her immediate family has been busy cocooning, spending time alone with her to help her adjust. Joe got to spend extended time with them all this past weekend.
Joe is an active member of North Point Baptist Church, and is a Gideon. Joe has also played pool since he was 12 years old, playing tournaments in Las Vegas and other places. Six years ago, he started mid-week golf rounds with some of the guys he knows from church. Joe jokes “They’re guys who are nice enough not to laugh at me.”
Next time you’re in SBC, say hello to Joe. If you need product information or you’re looking for the right product for your next home improvement project, he can help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
PS Joe comes from a large family, and his mom is one of his biggest fans. In fact, she was the 3000’s person to ‘like’ the Southside Building Center Facebook page. Thanks, mom!