A New Chapter for First Choice Lumber and the Globe Community

In December 2022, Dustin Byars, along with his business partner Brian Kay, purchased the Pinal Lumber store, a cornerstone of the Globe-Miami community for more than 40 years. Naming it First Choice Lumber, the duo set out with a clear vision: to revitalize the store and strengthen its ties with the community.

“Globe is a town full of opportunity, especially for homeowners,” Byars said. “Older homes here need new siding, roofing, windows, and doors. We wanted to bring more to the homeowners here and show them how the upgrades we offer can increase the value of their homes while also saving them money. For example, new windows are a cost-effective way to save on heating and cooling bills,” he said.

Byars’ background in business operations, including a previous lumber yard in Snowflake, Arizona, armed him with a wealth of industry knowledge and strong vendor relationships, enabling him to quickly replenish the inventory that had dwindled at Pinal Lumber. “People thought the store had closed because the inventory was so low,” he recalls. “We’ve since invested over $150,000 to stock shingles, windows, doors, and siding—items you couldn’t find anywhere else in town.”

 

First Choice Lumber’s renewed inventory and customer-centric approach have paid off. The store’s sales have surged, driven by a diverse clientele ranging from residential homeowners to commercial and industrial contractors serving local mines. Byars credits this success to a keen focus on customer needs. “We’ve really honed in on what the locals want to see in the store,” he says. Clients have also appreciated that the new owners retained Pinal Lumber employees. Some even remember their parents or grandparents interacting with employees Doc and Augustine when they were kids. They both have been at Pinal Lumber since the beginning – more than 45 years!

Byars’ commitment to Globe extends beyond the walls of his store. He and his First Choice Lumber team are hands-on in community service, regularly volunteering at the local food bank and providing supplies for projects like repainting the iconic “M” on the hill for Miami. Byars has also been recently named the president-elect of the Globe Chamber of Commerce. He is passionate about fostering community engagement and supporting local businesses. “My goal is to help add value to other businesses the way the Chamber adds value to mine,” he shares. The Chamber is thriving, with 43 new members joining in the last year alone. “There’s so much potential here that people don’t realize,” he notes. 

Family values are at the core of Byars’ approach to business and community. Married to his wife Stephanie for 17 years, and a father to three children, Byars often brings his family to work and community events. “Family-owned and community-focused—these are not just buzzwords for us,” he emphasizes. “They’re the principles we live by.”

As First Choice Lumber prepares for its grand opening this fall, Byars is excited about the future. The store is undergoing a comprehensive reset, including an expanded paint department. “We’re ready to present a revitalized store to the community,” he says. “Our goal is to make First Choice Lumber the go-to destination for all their home improvement needs.”