Business Details
44 Years
experience
Your Trusted Source for Building Supplies in Arcata, CA
Almquist Lumber has served the North Coast of California for over 40 years, providing premium materials and expertise to woodworkers, craftsmen, and builders. Founded in 1982 in a garage by Eric Almquist, the company expanded to Blue Lake before establishing its current 50,000-square-foot facility in Arcata in 2006. Our team combines decades of hands-on experience with a deep understanding of wood and construction materials, offering personalized service to both professionals and DIY enthusiasts. We specialize in sourcing and supplying over 100 species of hardwood lumber, including domestic, exotic, and locally sourced options, alongside softwoods, specialty panels, and custom milling services.Our knowledgeable staff, many of whom are seasoned woodworkers themselves, provide expert guidance on materials, finishes, and tools. We maintain a comprehensive inventory of flooring, decking, siding, trim, and stair components, ensuring solutions for both traditional and modern projects. Our commitment to quality extends to curated partnerships with trusted vendors for specialty products like Classic Aire wooden vents and L J Smith stair parts. Customers appreciate our dog-friendly environment, competitive pricing, and the ability to ship select items nationwide. With a focus on community and craftsmanship, we continue to support local artisans while serving clients across the United States.
Services
Hardwood Lumber
Softwood Lumber
Plywood
Flooring
Decking
Custom Milling
Siding
Stair Parts
Wood Siding
Panel Products
Details
- Year established: 1982
Highlights and features
- We offer over 40 years of expertise in sourcing premium building materials.
- Our staff includes experienced woodworkers who provide knowledgeable guidance.
- We stock over 100 species of domestic, exotic, and local hardwood lumber.
- Custom milling services for stair parts and specialty trim are available.
- We ship select products nationwide with competitive pricing.
What people say
Knowledgeable staff
Extensive selection
Great customer service
Quality materials
Dog-friendly store
Services
Hardwood Lumber
We provide over 100 species of hardwood lumber, including domestic, exotic, and local options. Available in thicknesses from 4/4 to 8/4, our selection caters to furniture makers, cabinetmakers, and builders seeking premium materials for custom projects.
Custom Milling
Our milling department creates custom stair treads, risers, and trim to match specific designs. We offer both stock and custom profiles in various woods, ensuring precise solutions for unique architectural needs and restoration projects.
Plywood
We stock specialty plywood including marine-grade, hardwood, and construction panels. Our inventory supports applications from boat building to interior cabinetry, with options like melamine and MDF for versatile project requirements.
Flooring
Our flooring inventory features pre-finished and unfinished oak and maple, with custom ordering available for other species. We provide samples and quotes to help clients select durable, aesthetically appropriate solutions for residential and commercial spaces.
Decking
We supply Western Red Cedar and Ipe hardwood decking materials. These options offer durability in coastal and inland climates, with Ipe providing a 30-40 year lifespan despite requiring careful installation due to its density.
Questions
What types of hardwood lumber do you carry?
We stock over 100 species of domestic, exotic, and local west coast hardwoods in thicknesses from 4/4 to 8/4, including options like walnut, maple, and oak.
Do you offer custom milling services?
Yes, we provide custom milling for stair parts, trim, and specialty profiles using available wood species, with both stock and custom options available.
Can I order materials for shipping?
We ship selected items to any U.S. location. Contact us for details on available products and shipping options.
What are your store hours?
We're open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday 9am-5pm, and closed on Sundays.
Do you carry specialty panel products?
Yes, we offer melamine, MDF, particle board, bead board, and other panel products, including custom-cut options for shelving and cabinetry.
Reviews (7)
Cheryl Mechanical
Jun 13, 2022
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There were several really fascinating types of wood there and the gentleman that helped me was very patient and kind and answered all my questions! I rarely enjoy shopping but this was a very pleasant experience.
Trevor Hartman
Jan 26, 2022
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Good craftsman store with plenty of selection, but MUCH more costly than larger home improvement stores. If the drive to Crescent City were shorter I'd have saved a significant amount making the drive to Home Depot.
Grondo Grondalski
Sep 20, 2021
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This place has the high end building materials and tools for construction and cabinet making. What a great selection of wood for all your woodworking projects!
John Rodriguez
Jul 17, 2021
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Called them asked if they had finished red oak Quarter round. They told me they did, I sent my employee down there to find out it's unfinished no problem. So after we stained them, and cut them realized every piece is a different size! What's with that? Tried to call multiple times since Saturday but nothing.
Stephen Borrell
Jul 06, 2021
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What a fantastic place to visit if you are looking for lumber and specialty woods.for your next project. The selection was great with good prices. Lots of variety to choose from in the specialty area including a selection of reclaimed lumber too. Stop in, it will be worth your time!
Hanna Lewis
Nov 21, 2020
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Nice place to get wood from. They have different types to choose from and great prices. Staff is friendly. We had to load the lumber in our truck ourselves (which is fine). Good location and lots of parking.
Dianna Hardwick
Mar 13, 2020
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For years this place has been my favorite store to shop for wood working/hardware/anything & everything/lumber/exotic wood. Today the crew there were all friendly & attentive to me & my search for a jointer. After much time & careful consideration I was given a great deal on this 6 porter cable. Thank you Almquist for helping me hobble along on my woodworking journey & for my excellent deal on this quality tool.
The other picture is of my kitchen ceiling which my husband and I finished in 2005 but 1/2 of the ceiling had never been stained-the other half was faded because a drop ceiling had been under that half. So the beams and the ceiling were all there they were just very discolored/mismatched. We took a plank down & brought the board into Almquist and they made THE matching stain for us. Perfectly. The knots that you see on half of the ceiling in the picture are colored in by hand with black permanent marker by yours truly. That was actually one of our first experiences & we have been coming back ever since.
The other picture is of my kitchen ceiling which my husband and I finished in 2005 but 1/2 of the ceiling had never been stained-the other half was faded because a drop ceiling had been under that half. So the beams and the ceiling were all there they were just very discolored/mismatched. We took a plank down & brought the board into Almquist and they made THE matching stain for us. Perfectly. The knots that you see on half of the ceiling in the picture are colored in by hand with black permanent marker by yours truly. That was actually one of our first experiences & we have been coming back ever since.
