Featured Partner
Central Home Supply
Santee Family
Santa Cruz County’s largest and Friendliest Landscape and Building Supply
Reed and Rick Santee of Central Home Supply
By Edita McQuary
Times Publishing Group Inc.
In 1974 Rick Santee’s parents, John and Ann Santee, established their building materials supply business at 808 River Street, Santa Cruz, at what had been the Henry Cowell Lime and Cement Company. Today Rick and his brother, Rusty, are the principal owners of this 40-year old family-owned business which now also includes the Scotts Valley location at 180 El Pueblo Road. Grandson Reed Santee, an avid gardener and rock enthusiast, is the Scotts Valley store manager. You might say their hearts are in the earth, or as Rick says with a laugh, “we are a real down and dirty bunch.”
Central Home Supply was initially a building supply store, although for the past twenty years they have also been selling landscape supplies. Even though there is a lot of competition, Central Home Supply is in the top 10 percent of sales tax producers in the county. How have they been able to be so successful? Rick says, “Our mission is to give the best possible service. We have a large inventory, and our prices are low. Our twenty-five employees are thoroughly trained so they have the expertise to help each customer no matter what the need.” In other words, they do business the old-fashioned way: good products, good service, large inventory, and low prices. They are experts in their field and, when necessary, are able to refer customers to outstanding local contractors.
The company has many delivery trucks of all sizes, as well as forklifts and dump trucks. They have a large inventory of pavers, stone, construction hardware, rock, gravel, retaining walls, pre-cast concrete and concrete products, masonry block, tools, lath and plaster, bricks, erosion control equipment, insulation and wallboard, soil and mulch, and even barbeques and turf. In fact, they offer over 2,500 products including 100 types of natural stone! If you don’t see what you want, they can order it for you.
Central Home Supply is grateful to have been in business for over 40 years. Grandpa John and Ann believed that honest day of hard work could change the world and were very active in local charities. They started off with a shoebox for a cash register and a few pallets of brick! Now they sell pretty much everything to do with cement products as well as general building materials and all types of landscape supplies such as those listed above as well as bark, mulches, composts, topsoil, and sand. They sell every brick product made, and most plaster/stucco. It if can be found, Central Home Supply will have it on hand or order it especially for you. If they don’t have what you need, they often can tell you the best place to find it.
What sets Central Home Supply apart from other companies is their approach to customer service, which is old fashioned, and personal. A second-generation partner, Rick Santee, says, “Everyone here is passionate about giving expert service and advice to every customer every time. There are only a few prerequisites to excellence. They are: product selection, superior service, experienced market-knowledgeable assistance, and expert delivery. All at the lowest and most competitive price making it a unique experience to do business with Central Home Supply.”
When a homeowner is faced with a project, Central Home supply is a great asset. They will offer material choices and advise techniques to get the job done right the first time. They also offer reputable contractor referrals as needed. When the day is done, they want only the best job for their customers. There are now three generations of Santee’s operating Central Home Supply, and there are new ones are coming up!
Central Home Supply believes that lending a helping hand is part of what makes a local business truly successful. When a small preschool faced expensive remodel costs, and could not afford new safety mulch for their playground, they reached out and Central Home was able to answer their call. From regular contributions to school gardens, life labs and sports fields the Santee family seeks to show their appreciation to the community by giving back.
Bring your ideas down to Central Home Supply for friendly tips and suggestions. They have loads of free literature and samples to check out, and are happy to help get the job done right the first time. They also offer reputable contractor referrals as needed. When the day is done, they want only the best job for their customers.
Summer Hours (April 1 thru October 31) for both stores: M-F 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to Sat 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Winter Hours (November 1 thru March 31) Mon-Fri 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed Sundays – both locations.
Reprinted with permission of the Times Publishing Group Inc. April 2019 edition of the Business Profile, www.tpgonlinedaily.com
Central Home Supply Storefront and next generation Santee stocking the shelves.
Central Home supply
two locations on the Central Coast:
808 River Street, Santa Cruz, (at the corner of Hwys 1 & 9)
(831) 423-0763
180 El Pueblo Road, Scotts Valley (behind Scarborough Lumber)
(831) 440-0763
