Calaveras Lumber was voted best hardware store in California. (Courtesy Photo / Calaveras Lumber)
Calaveras Lumber was voted the Best Hardware Store in the entire state of California by Stihl’s 2025 Hardware All Stars, and Jodie Brixey, general manager of Calaveras and Sonora Lumber, is celebrating with her staff.
“It’s a huge recognition as we were up against some of the best and biggest hardware stores,” Jodie expressed. “It’s our employees who deserve this award. We are so blessed to have so many legacy employees here. Everyone is treated as family.”
The HBS (Home Building Supply) Magazine read, “To anyone who feels that the entrepreneurial spirit is slipping away from American small business, or that there just aren’t many feel-good stories in independent land these days, well, we’ve got news for you.
“The STIHL Hardware All Stars class of 2025 is here to dispel any such notion. The All Star program recognized 50 high-performing hardware stores, lumberyards or home centers – one from each state of the union.
“From the magazine’s viewpoint, it’s impossible to research and edit this annual feature – now in its 15th year – without feeling admiration for the resourcefulness and creativity of the industry. On top of that admiration is an appreciation for the sheer number of strong independents who serve customers from coast to coast.
“With so many deserving candidates, it’s difficult to select honorees. But, thanks to the input of a variety of industry leaders, distributors and retailers, we are proud to announce our winners this year.”
The criteria for selection include innovation in operations, marketing or merchandising; high performance, exhibited through expansion or sales growth; and customer-centricity, community involvement and a commitment to the traditions of the hardware building supply industry.
One of the many factors in receiving this honor is that Calaveras Lumber is constantly evolving with the needs and wishes of their customers. “We keep growing and expanding,” she added. “After Glory Hole Sports closed, we added a fishing department with live bait and hired their one employee. We have great plans for offering more to the community in the future.”
Continually serving since 1988, Jeff Croshaw has been a truck driver for Calaveras Lumber for an astonishing 43 years. Mike Urruty just celebrated 37 years. Matthew Enslin comes in as the third longest standing employee. Craig Powers celebrated 26 years, and Jeff Miley has 22 years with us.”
“I also want to honor Pam Boleway, our merchandiser, who has been with us since 1997, but left for a couple of years, as well as Trish Styles, our lead seasonal department, who started in 1998.”
“What makes us unique is that our staff goes above and beyond for our customers,” Jodie adds. “It’s just who they are. They want to help. And we have a community that cares and wants us to succeed. We really strive to listen to our customers and respond according to our capabilities.”
“We also offer such a diversified inventory from hardware and building needs to women’s clothing, home décor, expanded plant nursery and now we have pickleball equipment,” she continued.
Jodie received a Business Excellence Award from HBS for top women in the hardware and building supply industry in 2023. The award is given to “a leader who has demonstrated achievement, growth and success, embraced education and community service and inspired others to follow a similar path.”
Jodie was born and raised in Calaveras County and is a third-generation member of the Fullaway family running the two businesses. She graduated from Modesto Junior College with an RN degree in 2010 and took many business courses.
She worked as a charge nurse at Memorial Medical Center in Modesto and then assisted with opening the Heart Center at Mark Twain Medical Center in San Andreas in 2015.
In May of 1976, Jodie’s grandparents, Wilbur and Louise Fullaway, opened Calaveras Lumber in Angels Camp. Now with 49 years in business, Calaveras Lumber, and its partner business, Sonora Lumber, which was purchased by the Fullaway family in June 2014 from the JS West family, are more than hardware stores; they are an integral and vital part of the community.
Calaveras Lumber Company moved to its current location at 155 South Main Street in 2000. With lots of work and many yards of concrete, the location became a full-service lumberyard and retail hardware store meeting the needs of homebuilders, remodelers and do-it-yourself-ers.
Jodie’s mom and dad, Diane and Mike Fullaway, are now retired and exploring the world. “This year will be the 30th anniversary of the Christmas store, which my mom started,” she explained.
The businesses were sold to Nation’s Best in 2022, but the Fullaway family continues to be involved. “We want to keep the stores as community driven as possible,” said Jodie. “It’s a good partnership with Nation’s Best. They provide financing and assistance, but we are still managing the business.”
“I really hope to carry on the traditions and path of my grandfather,” Jodie summarized. “I feel incredibly blessed to serve Calaveras and Tuolumne counties, and we are all looking very forward to a bright future.”
“I want to recognize each and every employee,” summarized Jodie. “It takes a team showing up with a servant’s heart. You feel that when you walk in the door. I am honored to be their leader.”
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