BIZ BITS: Palouse business helps customers build their dreams

One of the challenges Tyler Garrett and his employees meet consistently at Moscow & Pullman Building Supply involves staying on top of new products, methods and materials for home construction and renovation.

Typically customers log dozens of hours of research online planning their projects and big purchases before shopping, said Garrett, who was recently named a 2024 Young Retailer of the Year by the North American Hardware and Paint Association.

Customers know how they want a space they are constructing or remodeling to look and what techniques and products they will use when they arrive at the store, said Garrett, president, CEO and co-owner of Moscow & Pullman Building Supply.

The retailer’s response to these new needs, along with its employees’ skill in anticipating what customers will want to recreate after seeing it on social media, are the reasons revenue at Garrett’s business has increased by more than 50% since he became the majority owner in 2019, Garrett said.

“We’re always trying to find those new niche items,” he said.

Moscow & Pullman Building Supply carries everything needed to build a home, such as cabinets, paint, lumber, roofing, siding, flooring, insulation, windows, doors, and power and hand tools, along with electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning and ventilation supplies.

It has two locations, one at 760 N. Main St. in Moscow and another at 400 S.E. Fairmount Drive in Pullman.

The 34-year-old’s work helping his family business thrive is a reason he was selected for the honor.

A third generation owner of Moscow & Pullman Building Supply, Garrett was working in construction in 2010 when someone offered to buy the business from his dad, Pat Garrett, according to a news release from the North American Hardware and Paint Association.

The elder Garrett gave his son an ultimatum. If he didn’t want to rejoin the family business, he would pursue the sale.

Tyler Garrett chose to return. He started in the contractor sales division and learned the business — which has about 180 employees — first-hand by holding a variety of positions. In the years that Tyler Garrett has been at Moscow & Pullman Building Supply, the retailer has expanded in a number of ways, most visibly with its new Pullman location.

The 40,000-square-foot store and its 125,000-square-foot drive-through lumber facility and warehouse are the second largest store in Pullman behind Walmart, according to the news release.

In addition to Garrett’s business savvy, the North American Hardware and Paint Association honor recognizes his community involvement.

Moscow & Pullman Building Supply gave $50,000 to an upgrade of the Palouse Ice Rink and supports not-for-profit groups such as 4-H and Habitat for Humanity.

Garrett is involved with the chambers of commerce in Moscow and Pullman and is an advisory board member of Zions Bank for north Idaho.

The sponsors of the 2024 Young Retailer of the Year program include American Hardware and Lumber Insurance, Arrow Fastener, Intertape Polymer Group, Midwest Fastener, Pony Jorgensen and The Wooster Brush Company.

Vault Physical Therapy begins operation in Lewiston

A physical therapist who competes in marathons and triathlons has opened a new practice in Lewiston.

The name of Hannah Gibbs’ practice is Vault Physical Therapy. It’s at 615 21st St. in a building immediately north of McDonald’s.

A graduate of the physical therapy program at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, Gibbs brings nine years of experience to the venture. As a student at OSU, she completed an internship in Missoula.

After graduation, she was hired by the practice that is now called LC Physical Therapy, where she worked just before opening Vault Physical Therapy.

Generally in Idaho, patients can refer themselves to see physical therapists unless they are on Medicare, Gibbs said.

Physical therapy can help alleviate persistent muscle pain from office work, manual labor or sports, Gibbs said.

It can also speed recovery after surgery for broken bones or ligament injuries and it can delay or eliminate the need for back, knee or hip surgeries, she said.

Vault Physical Therapy can be contacted at (208) 413-7062.

Seasoned restaurateurs open new eatery in Craigmont

CRAIGMONT – First they owned Winchester Kitchen and Bar, KC’s Burgers and Brews, and Carter’s Cafe.

Now Emmett and Kathy Carter have opened Woody’s OTP at 25 W. Main St. in Craigmont in a building that has housed restaurants since the 1950s. The OTP stands for “on the Prairie.”

Smash burgers made with beef from Marshall’s Meats in Winchester topped with cheese, dill pickles and a house fry sauce are a specialty, she said.

“The meat is crispy,” she said. “It retains all the juices and the flavors.”

Woody’s OTP also features curly fries. They are hand-cut from potatoes daily with a custom-made tool and kept in cold water and a little vinegar to preserve freshness before being cooked to order for customers, she said.

Woody’s full bar serves beer, wine and spirits.

“It’s just a basic local restaurant,” Carter said. “Every little town needs a watering hole.”

They acquired the building and spent a couple months painting, replacing all the furniture with new pieces, and redecorating in a theme that combines sports and local history.

The Carters have spent decades in hospitality in north central Idaho. They opened Carter’s Cafe, an upscale restaurant where Mystic Cafe is now in Lewiston.

She then managed Southway Pizzeria & Deli in Lewiston before they founded KC’s Burgers and Brews in the Lewiston Orchards. After they sold KC’s, they owned what is now the Winchester Kitchen and Bar before selling it.

Regence BlueShield of Idaho selected for brand excellence award

BOISE – Regence BlueShield of Idaho has received a brand excellence award for enrollment growth for having the highest percentage of new members enrolled the past year among 33 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies.

The total core enrollment reported for Regence BlueShield of Idaho in 2023 increased more than 11% from the previous year, according to a news release from Regence BlueShield of Idaho.

Regence was selected for the brand excellence award by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, which has presented the honors for 29 years. The categories were established to acknowledge efforts to attract new customers, cultivate loyalty among existing customers and foster brand innovation.

The entire team at Regence is focused on keeping health care interests of the individuals, families and organizations it serves top of mind at all times, said Regence BlueShield of Idaho President Mark Ruszczyk in a news release.

“This national recognition shows that good things happen when you put customers first by continuously striving to create a more economically sustainable and person-focused health care system,” Ruszczyk said.

Founded and based in Lewiston for 78 years, Regence serves more than 305,000 people in Idaho. The not-for-profit mutual insurance company is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Lewiston attorney receives national honor

Christopher Caldwell, a Lewiston attorney, has been named a Top 100 Trial Lawyer in the state of Idaho by a professional group.

The distinction was bestowed by The National Trial Lawyers, which recognizes lawyers with superior qualifications, exemplary trial results and leadership, according to a news release provided by Caldwell’s office.

Caldwell has handled hundreds of workers’ compensation claims. He’s also litigated cases involving car and truck accidents, slip and fall injuries, insurance claims, negligence by professionals, failed medical devices and dog attacks, according to the website of The National Trial Lawyers.

The cases have been in the county courts of Asotin, Spokane, Kootenai, Latah, Nez Perce and Clearwater as well as in state and federal courts and the Idaho Industrial Commission.

The telephone number of Caldwell’s office is (208) 743-5299.

Williams may be contacted ewilliam@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2261.