The Alexander Lumber Company has acquired Peoples Complete Building Center in Watseka. The acquisition, effective Thursday (Oct 1), finds Alexander Lumber expanding its 20 retail locations and manufacturing facility.

Peoples Coal & Lumber will maintain and continue its operations in Grant Park and Kentland, Indiana and three Ready Mix concrete operations in Watseka, Grant Park and Kentland.

In a prepared press release, Alexander Lumber Company states the Watseka location on South 3rd Street is open for business under the Alexander name.

Former Peoples Building Center manager Dan Martin said Alexander Lumber will keep all Peoples employees; that was an agreement with the transaction. Martin has managed the family business for 37 years. He's a fourth generation of the Martin family involved with the business.

Peoples Complete Building Center in Watseka was founded by Fred Martin and has been a local, family-owned business since 1902. Dan Martin says "while Peoples' has been in operation in Watseka along time, it's exciting to become part of Illinois' oldest retail lumber company."

Alexander Lumber Company was founded in 1891. The company is committed to being a strong member of its local communities.

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