This is a short history of Barney Wagner in the lumber and hardware industry. His career started when he was 12 years old working for a family owned lumberyard and hardware store. Barney learned how to sweep floors, stock shelves, stack lumber and a variety of duties. At the young age of 16, Barney worked at another lumberyard and hardware store that was your typical neighborhood business. Barney would fill nail bins, fill creosote and paint thinner from 55-gallon drums, mix paint, janitorial duties, glaze windows, custom cut plywood, make round top fencing with a band saw, and the list goes on.

After graduating from high school in 1965 at the age of 17 he entered the U.S. Navy when turning 18. Barney spent an extended tour in Vietnam aboard a small combat ship in the Tonkin Gulf. The shore fire and ship fire was intense at times. He was honorably discharged in 1969.  Barney resumed his career in the lumber business with the same lumberyard as he was promised a job when returning from the Navy. In the early 1970’s, Barney was part of a start-up of a new lumberyard with Al Meier, called South Hill Lumber. After many years, Barney and Al became partners in one of the new yards and would eventually become Al Meier’s Building Centers. They had 6 yards in the Pacific Northwest. In 1991, they sold Al Meier’s Building Centers to Lumbermen’s Building Centers. Barney continued with Lumbermen’s as Director of Operations. After 5 ½ years with Lumbermen’s Building Centers, it was time to move on. Barney developed a great reputation with vendors, customers and contractors.  Having been in the business for so many years, Barney realized what the people of rural Western Washington needed. In 1997, after 30 years in the lumber and building material industry, Barney Wagner had a vision. 

The ideology of Arrow Lumber & Hardware was founded on Legendary Customer Service along with honesty, integrity and commitment.  In March of 1997, Arrow Lumber & Hardware started in a small field in Puyallup, WA.  The crew consisted of only two men and Al Meier as a partner. Al and Barney put in matching funds for the start-up. Barney Wagner and his protégé Shawn Roehr, who was only 16 when Barney introduced him to the lumber business founded Arrow Lumber & Hardware.  Barney was impressed with Shawn’s eagerness to learn and drive to succeed.  Barney and Shawn worked 16-hour days; purchasing, selling and delivering, and soon the business began to grow.  In June of 1997, Arrow Lumber & Hardware purchased the complete operation of Inter-Mountain Building Materials in Eatonville, WA.  This would be their first official store location which is still in full operation today.

Less than two years later, with the Eatonville store thriving within the community, Barney, Shawn, and Al Meier went on to pursue development of their next location.  Land was found and purchased in Buckley, WA along Highway 410.  After Barney, Shawn and Al had completed the plans, construction commenced in the spring of 1998.  This project was Arrow Lumber’s flagship location and would be their second independently owned and operated store.  This location would also become the Corporate office for Arrow Lumber & Hardware.  The Buckley location officially opened for business on August 6, 1999.

Less than a month later, an opportunity became available for a third location in the town of Port Orchard, WA.  Barney, Shawn, and Al purchased and accepted ownership of Bethel Builders Home Center.  After a custom remodel, Arrow Lumber & Hardware’s newest location officially opened for business on August 30, 1999.

As previously planned, Barney purchased all the assets from Al Meier and Barney became the sole owner. Shortly after, Shawn Roehr became partner in all business operations.

In keeping with rural focus, Arrow Lumber & Hardware chose Randle, WA as their next location. This location would be their fourth independently owned and operated store.  The Randle location officially opened for business on April 14, 2004.  Barney and Shawn had found a strong market in establishing full service lumber yards for the “under-served” rural areas of Western Washington.

Barney and Shawn’s hard work and dedication was reflected in the steady growth of the company.  Shawn’s outstanding work ethic earned him the position of Vice President and General Manager.  Shortly after, Barney felt strongly that Shawn would be the perfect business partner and in 2005 Shawn was named President and Co-Owner of Arrow Lumber & Hardware.

In July of 2006, Barney and Shawn would soon capitalize on a new opportunity which was presented to them.  The purchase of Logan Lumber Company in Orting, WA was finalized.  This location had been serving the surrounding community for 10 years prior to Arrow Lumber’s acquisition.  Barney and Shawn were excited to take ownership and watch the business flourish.  July 24, 2006 the Orting location became their fifth independently owned and operated store in Western Washington.

In 2007, Arrow Lumber & Hardware celebrated its 10th Anniversary.  This milestone for Barney Wagner, Shawn Roehr and their veteran staff of professionals marked significant progression towards servicing these rural communities by supporting local schools, community events, food banks and customers.  Maintaining the ability to support and give back within the communities they serve is one of Arrow Lumber’s core values.

In January of 2008, commercial property was purchased in Port Townsend, WA.  This would be Arrow Lumber & Hardware’s sixth location.  Development of the commercial property was underway six months after the purchase of the land.  The Port Townsend location initially operated out of a small portable building on site with limited space for retail hardware and lumber storage.  In 2009 the long and grueling process of obtaining building permits began.  It wasn’t until 2014 that Arrow Lumber was given the green light to begin construction for their newest location.  Arrow Lumber & Hardware proudly opened the doors to this beautiful new store as well as hosted an official Grand Opening on June 2, 2015.

Shawn Roehr was promoted to President and CEO in 2014, and after unprecedented growth in sales more help was needed at Corporate. Mike McGinnes was promoted to Vice President in 2017 to help run the day-to-day overall business.

Arrow Lumber & Hardware was built from the deep roots of the industry it serves.  After celebrating our 20th Anniversary in 2017, the hunt continued for additional opportunities. In 2018, Barney and Shawn purchased Levee Lumber’s entire operation in Ocean Shores, keeping the focus on under-served markets in Western Washington.

After a long hard-fought battle with Cancer, our Founder, Robert (Barney) Wagner passed away in March of 2021. He was a great inspiration to everyone that knew him, and his memory will live on forever. Every decision is still inspired by “What would Barney do?”

In 2022 Greg Simpson was promoted to General Manager, and Mike McGinnes was promoted to President.

In 2024 Shawn saw another opportunity in an underserved rural market and purchased land and buildings in Elma, WA. to open our 8th location. Inspired by everything that Barney had taught him along with great leadership from Mike & Greg, it was time to grow again.

Dedication, hard work, community involvement and an ongoing commitment to Legendary Customer Service is our hallmark.  Our customers affirm that our staff is unsurpassed.  Arrow Lumber & Hardware has built a legacy to serve future generations.  Always on the lookout for new rural areas which are being “under-served”, Arrow Lumber will continue to develop and expand throughout Western Washington for decades to come.