U-Haul Dealer Hobart Lumber Celebrates 100 Years of Business

Apr 17, 2015

HOBART, IND. – A century of serving the community is certainly something worth celebrating.

“It’s the biggest milestone that we’ve had,” Nicole Haller Braner said.

Hobart2

Photo courtesy of Hobart Lumber

Hobart Lumber opened in 1915 at the Hoosier State location it still calls home: 630 Main Street. The Haller family has been part of this proud institution for the last 67 years.

Bruce Haller, father of fellow co-owners Nicole and Mark Haller, began working there in 1948 at the age of 18 and took ownership of the lumberyard in 1969. Mark began working at Hobart Lumber in 1977 and is currently the general manager in charge of the organization.

Hobart Lumber expanded to include a hardware store in 1991 (it became a True Value® location in the mid 1990s) and it joined the U-Haul dealer network in 2007. The Hallers offer U-Haul® trucks, trailers, towing equipment, support rental items and much more. Reserve U-Haul equipment by visiting Hobart Lumber on uhaul.com.

On April 11, the Hallers and their dedicated employees held the first of three events to celebrate Hobart Lumber’s 100th anniversary of being in business.

The first centennial event featured a number of giveaways including free ladies’ garden gloves with any purchase, a sidewalk sale, U-Haul truck banks and coloring books for kids, door prizes, balloons and free popcorn (a staple of every Saturday).

Hobart3

Photo courtesy of Hobart Lumber

Two banners outside the store proclaimed Hobart Lumber’s 100 years in business and thanked the community for its patronage.

“We did pretty well,” Nicole said. “There was a steady stream of customers the whole day, and we had a lot of U-Haul trucks out there that day. Some trucks got transferred later in day, but early in the day it was full and people could definitely tell we were a U-Haul dealer.

“Our U-Haul rep (AFM Jason Klein) came out and gave us a sign congratulating us. Our cashier put together the U-Haul toy banks and had them all stacked for the kids.”

Hobart8

Photo courtesy of Hobart Lumber

Hobart Lumber is planning its largest centennial event for Oct. 16-17 and will hold its final event during the holiday season on Dec. 12.

“We don’t know what month in 1915, but we have younger documents that state Hobart Lumber started in 1915,” Nicole added. “We have lots of family here, including my uncle (Gene Haller) and my nephew (Scott Haller). We have 28 employees. It’s a big deal to us.”

Aside from the lumberyard and True Value store, where U-Haul moving products are purchased and rented, there is a third branch to the Hallers’ business – Cabinet Express – located in nearby Valparaiso. It opened in 2005.

Hobart Lumber is a great place to become U-Haul Famous. Take your picture in front of a U-Haul product and your face could land on the side of a U-Haul truck. Upload your photo through Instagram using #uhaulfamous, or go to www.uhaulfamous.com to submit your photos and learn more.

More articles like this one…

What’s New

U-Haul and VVA Unite to Serve Veterans

U-Haul and VVA Unite to Serve Veterans

Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), an organization founded in 1978 to support and advocate for veterans of the Vietnam War, serves by the motto “never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.” VVA’s goal is to promote the well-being of all veterans and...

Spokane Wildfires: U-Haul Offers 30 Days Free Self-Storage to Victims

Spokane Wildfires: U-Haul Offers 30 Days Free Self-Storage to Victims

U-Haul® is offering 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box® container usage to residents in and around Spokane impacted by two active wildfires. The Gray Fire and Oregon Road Fire have already destroyed hundreds of structures and burned thousands of acres. Evacuations...

U-Haul Appoints New Recruiting Manager in Jaris Scott

U-Haul Appoints New Recruiting Manager in Jaris Scott

One of the best ways to grow your status as a veteran-friendly employer is to put a U.S. Army veteran is charge of your company’s recruiting efforts. That’s what U-Haul International has done with Jaris Scott, who was recently named Recruiting Manager for the industry...

Mandy Morris Named U-Haul Supply Chain and Logistics Director

Mandy Morris Named U-Haul Supply Chain and Logistics Director

Mandy Morris has been a part of the U-Haul Purchasing and Supply team for 12 years, including several years as a manager in the department. Now she’s ready for a new challenge as Director of Supply Chain and Logistics. Morris steps into the role that Don Cerimeli held...