Aldrich Home Center in Powell is changing hands, as the hardware store and lumber yard is being acquired by the Illinois-based R.P. Lumber Co. Aldrich’s will become the midwestern chain’s third location in Wyoming and 90th overall.

In a Thursday press release announcing the news, R.P. Lumber said it plans to keep Aldrich’s current employees and to expand both the store’s inventory and job-site delivery service area. The company said it’s “excited to continue building on the strong foundation established in Powell.”

Aldrich Home Center was originally founded in 1949 as Aldrich Lumber. Ken VanGrinsven purchased the business in 2001, after working there for 18 years. More recently, Ken and his wife, Jan VanGrinsven, have been looking for a successor to continue the legacy of the business and head into retirement.

“When we met with R.P. Lumber, it was clear they weren’t just looking to expand their operations — they were focused on preserving what we’ve built here in Powell,” Jan VanGrinsven said in a statement. “They showed a genuine commitment to our employees, our customers, and the community, which made our decision easy.”

Ken VanGrinsven said the couple felt confident that R.P. Lumber would be the right fit to carry on their legacy when they step away.

“Powell is an honest, trustworthy, and friendly community, and the leadership team at R.P. Lumber shares those same values,” he said.

In turn, R.P. Lumber President & CEO Robert Plummer expressed his admiration for the VanGrinsvens and their business. 

“Ken and Jan have built a loyal customer base in Powell,” he said in a release. “They’ve navigated the ups and downs of this industry with a dedication to quality products, fair pricing, and exceptional customer service. That’s exactly the type of business we are proud to carry forward in Powell.” 

Aldrich’s serves a mix of roughly 40% professional contractors and 60% do-it-yourselfers, according to the release. The store features a 7,700 square foot showroom and a fully operational lumberyard, providing a wide range of tools, building materials, and home improvement products. 

“We are humbled to have the opportunity to be stewards of this long-time operation and all the goodwill the VanGrinsven’s have built with their team, their customers, and the entire community,” Plummer said.

Founded in 1977 in Staunton, Illinois, R.P. Lumber has grown into one of the largest independent building materials retailers in the country, with 90 locations in Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, South Dakota and Wyoming. That includes stores in Rawlins and Saratoga.

Aldrich’s sale is set to close on April 11.