Matt’s Building Materials Groundbreaking

Nearly a year after a New Year’s Eve fire destroyed the iconic Matt’s Building Materials store in Pharr, Texas, the company broke ground on a new facility.

On December 15, 2022, family, friends, customers, and local dignitaries gathered to celebrate the official start of a new chapter in the company’s history, which dates back to 1969.

Matt’s Building Materials—originally called Matt’s Cash and Carry—is a family-owned business with Danny Smith as CEO. When founder Ira Matt retired in 2001, he sold the business to Danny and his wife Diana. Upon taking ownership, Danny changed the corporate structure and gave two of his longtime managers and friends, Oscar Sandoval and Luis Mancillas, a stake in the business. He also gave some of his own share to his three sons: Jeremy, Isaac, and Ben. Each of the sons now manages one the company’s three stores in Pharr, San Benito, and Palmview, Texas.

The company has over 170 employees, many of whom lost their jobs because of the fire. “The fire was a devastating event for our employees and their families,” said Isaac Smith, co-owner and manager of the Pharr store. “We hope all of our employees are able to come back when our new facility is finished.”

The new 30,000-square-foot facility will include a new Matt’s Building Materials store, retail spaces for leasing, and an event center. It is projected to be finished by early 2024.

Over the past 54 years, Matt’s Building Materials has faced many challenges but has always adapted and overcome them. The fire will be no exception. It is their companywide commitment to responsibility that makes them successful— responsibility to their employees, customers, and creditors. As Danny Smith said: “If you are responsible, do things right, and make sure that your customers know you value their business and that they are the reason you are successful, only then can the business give back to you.” The groundbreaking in Pharr is proof of Matt’s Building Materials’ commitment to its customers. With the new facility, the company will continue to be the oldest lumber yard in the Rio Grande Valley.