Over the years Big John’s Closeouts has evolved from its beginnings with Paty Lumber Co., but one thing that remains the same is the staff’s commitment to their customers and their community.
Big John’s Closeouts first came to Elizabethton in 1997. At that time they were located on Cherokee Park Drive in the building that is now home to Tractor Supply Co.
“Paty opened us up to deal with their blemished products, misorders and overstock merchandise,” said Mike Barnett, general manager of Big John’s Closeouts.
In 2001, Paty went out of business and Big John’s Closeouts became an independent operation. Since that time, the store and its merchandise have continued to change to better meet the needs of its customers.
“A lot of people, because of the name, believe we only stock blemished, damaged or closeout items,” Barnett said. “We started that way many years ago. Now we have 80 percent of new, warranted items and high quality products.”
“We sell a lot of ‘A Quality’ products that people come back and rebuy,” he added.
True to it’s roots, the store still offers some closeout and discounted merchandise, but the focus is now on providing high-quality new merchandise for their customers.
One of the things that draws customers back to Big John’s Closeouts is the service they receive and the company’s dedication to serving not only their customers but their community as well.
“We have a knowledgeable staff to wait on people and give good customer service,” Barnett said. “My guys like waiting on their customers. They know a lot of the customers. It’s people they live next to or worship with.”
The staff builds a relationship with the customers and they form or rekindle friendships, Barnett said, adding that helps Big John’s Closeouts become a part of the local community.
“I think one of the things that sets us apart is we’re vested in the local community with charities, service organizations and local schools,” Barnett said.
Big John’s Closeouts offers a wide variety of products to its customers.
“We do a lot of kitchen cabinet measuring and design. We order a great deal of replacement windows,” Barnett said. “We handle a full line of flooring products from wood, to laminate, to ceramic to luxury vinyl. We also offer complete deck packages.”
Shoppers can also find a wide variety of lighting fixtures, paints, stains, lumber, electrical, plumbing, bathroom fixtures, tools and many other items at the store.
“We’re continually looking to add on to things,” Barnett said.
Styles in home design — such as lighting, flooring, color schemes, and cabinetry — are frequently changing and Barnett said he strives to provide products that meet the latest trends.
“We don’t do any installations but we can give the customer contact information on installers that are local and trustworthy folks that we can recommend,” Barnett said. “If we hear anything that even questionable we stop referrals. We continue to monitor that type of stuff.”
After enjoying years of success in Elizabethton, Big John’s Closeouts expanded to Mountain City in February of 2011 and has also seen success there.
“The community has really reached out and welcomed us,” Barnett said. “It has been a really good move for us. We are so thankful to be up there.”
It is Big John’s dedication to quality and service to not only the customer but the community that keeps people coming back. Elizabethton Star readers selected Big John’s Closeouts as both the Best Building Supply Store and the Best Siding and Window Company in the 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards.
“We really do appreciate our customers’ patronage,” Barnett said. “We invite new customers to come in and check us out.”
“We want people to shop our prices before they make a purchase,” he added. “We want to be their choice for home improvement.
In Elizabethton, Big John’s Closeouts is located at 238 E. Elk Ave. In Mountain City, Big John’s Closeouts is located at 1273 S. Shady St.