Rebuilding Stronger, Serving Bigger — Matt’s Building Materials Wins Beacon Award for Best New Store
When a devastating fire destroyed the 120,000-square-foot Pharr, Tex., flagship store of Matt’s Building Materials on New Year’s Day 2022, the loss could have crippled the family-owned business. Instead, it became the spark for a remarkable comeback.
The morning after the blaze, co-owner Danny Smith addressed his team with what became the rallying cry for recovery: “That building behind me isn’t Matt’s Building Materials. . . . It’s not the building. It’s the people. You are Matt’s Building Materials. We are Matt’s.”
Today, Matt’s operates four locations across the Rio Grande Valley and has witnessed record growth. The rebuilt store, which opened in 2024, blends modern retail innovation with hometown tradition while anchoring an ambitious new development that includes leased retail space and a full-scale events center.
Because of its resilience in the face of tragedy—and, more importantly, its commitment to rebuilding a store that better serves its customers and community—Matt’s Building Materials has earned the 2025 Beacon Award for Best New Store.
Turning Adversity Into Opportunity
The fire could have halted operations, but the Smith family and their team used it as an opportunity to rethink every aspect of the business.
The rebuilt facility is about 90,000 square feet, smaller than the original footprint but a more efficient, customer-friendly layout. Salvaged beams were incorporated into the design, preserving a sense of history while introducing better lighting, open sightlines and an expanded parking lot. A dedicated lumberyard entrance now streamlines traffic for contractors and DIY customers alike.
The new store is also the heart of Woodrow Plaza, a mixed-use development that includes additional retail and the Brookhaven Event Center, a venue for community events, weddings and gatherings. By integrating retail and civic use, Matt’s has redefined what a building materials store can be: More than a shopping destination, it’s a central hub for the Rio Grande Valley.
Growth That Speaks for Itself
The rebuild has delivered impressive results. With help from its distributor, Orgill, average ticket sizes have surged an astounding 300 percent since reopening. Sales, profits and margins have all exceeded pre-fire levels.
This growth reflects strategic planning and savvy investments in both facilities and merchandising. By focusing on customer experience and tailored product assortments, Matt’s has achieved operational efficiency while expanding its reach across the Valley.
Orgill has been a steady partner throughout. From product sourcing to merchandising support, Orgill’s distribution network ensured that essential materials and updated assortments were available quickly and reliably during construction. Orgill also collaborated with Matt’s to optimize product placement and fine-tune the new layout to better serve both contractors and DIY customers.
A Smarter Store for South Texas
Matt’s merchandising strategy showcases deep knowledge of customers’ needs. The spacious Pharr showroom and branch locations are organized for intuitive shopping, with core assortments in lumber, roofing, paint, flooring, doors, windows, plumbing and electrical supplies. Plumbing and electrical, two of the fastest-growing categories, are prioritized with prominent displays and strong inventory support.
The team continuously reviews every product category, analyzing sales trends and customer feedback monthly to adjust mixes and floor layouts. High-demand items are always in stock and easy to find, while slower movers make way for trending products.
Matt’s also delivers value through unique offerings that set it apart from the big boxes: custom door and cabinet workshops, a full-service flooring department with free quotes and professional installation, and in-house blueprint interpretation services.
“Danny’s Backyard,” an expanded outdoor living section, features grills, lawn-and-garden supplies and power tools. Convenient delivery across the Rio Grande Valley further extends the store’s reach, bringing bulky materials directly to job sites and homes.
Celebrating Community
The grand reopening of the Pharr flagship in April 2024 was more than a ribbon cutting—it was a community festival. Thousands of customers, local officials, vendors and neighbors came together for a day of food, live music, family-friendly activities and prizes.
After the public celebration, Matt’s hosted an exclusive afterparty for employees, vendors and partners at the new Brookhaven Event Center. The private gathering featured dinner, entertainment and heartfelt speeches recognizing the team’s determination and hard work. It was a celebration of resilience, gratitude and the company’s enduring connection to the region.
That community-first mindset drives Matt’s year-round promotions, from DIY clinics and contractor demos to sponsorships and family holiday events. Social media channels, local radio and in-store promotions keep customers informed and engaged.
