Business Profile: Estes Material Sales Inc.

Since it opened in the late 1970s, Estes Material Sales, Inc., has established itself as the go-to source for natural stone and landscaping materials in the Hope area. Offering a host of services and products, including manufactured wall stone and pavers to decorative gravels, edging, flagstone and quarry services, Estes Materials’ products have been an integral part of many projects throughout Bartholomew County and surrounding areas.

Company President Rikki Hege recently spoke about the history of the company and its services, current and former projects, what it means to be a part of the Hope business community, as well as the future of Estes Materials going forward since the company’s founder Garry Estes’ passing last year.

Q: If you would, please share a little about the history of Estes Material Sales.
A: Garry Estes started out as a landscaper and then started selling rocks. Our actual business has been in three locations in Hope over the years. We used to be on the Square and we didn’t have an actual yard, we just brokered stone. We were also on South Street where the church was, too. And now we are located at 11793 N. State Road 9.

Q: How large of an area do you operate from?
A: We recently acquired more acreage, so we are looking to expand. We are actively working on eight acres, but we have about 25 acres now.

Q: How many employees do you currently have? And what are your hours of operation?
A: We have 10 and are looking to hire more. Our hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturdays are seasonal 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April through October.

Q: Clearly businesses across the board have been impacted by COVID. How has Estes Material Sales fared during the pandemic?
A: Everything is changing every day. All our input pricing is changing. Volume is good, but supplies are down everywhere across the board. And when you go to get something the price has increased and the lack of CDL drivers has impacted the ability to get material and new hires ourselves. Overall, I think with our world being in a pandemic, I still think we are coming through it so I wouldn’t complain about it. It could be way worse.

Q: What do you personally enjoy about what you do?
A: I’ve done it so long. I started working here when I was 14 years old. I love working with people and helping them with their projects. I love seeing all the projects and the beauty of everything put together.

Q: What has been one of the most unique projects Estes Material Sales has been a part of?
A: I would say some of the Exhibit Columbus things that we supply for are a purpose totally different than landscaping in its use -- design architecture to be used for art.

Q: How did that project come about?
A: The Columbus Arts Council reached out to us to see if we would be willing to help supply materials. This will be our second year being involved.

Q: What were your initial thoughts about the project? And what types of material support did you offer?
A: We thought it was something really cool to be a part of with local recognition. It was just something different, so it was interesting. Basically, natural stone. They were in Gideon baskets and displayed artfully by the artist. They designed the baskets and we filled them and took them on site and they placed them. That is the nice thing about Bartholomew County as a whole, there is lots of architecture and we would love to supply as much stone as we can in our community.

Q: When it comes to customers and residential projects, anything come to mind there?
A: There have been so many beautiful ones over the years. Obviously, the large ones stand out because of their magnitude. I would say not one in particular. We are lucky to be a part of many projects every year that are beautiful and you can totally see yourself hanging out there and enjoying the space. I like seeing the transformations, so I can’t pinpoint one off the top of my head.

Q: What are some other unique projects Estes has been a part of over the years?
A: We have supplied stone to many famous people’s houses, including Jim Irsay, Forrest Lucas, Larry Bird, and Papa John’s owner John Schnatter. Being a part of a project with “buzz” in our industry and landing the job over some of the large competitors is a cool experience for a small town company.

Q: What would you say are some of the challenges the business has faced over the years?
A: Being located in a rural area, getting outreach out past our community and into other communities when you aren’t in those cities can be a challenge. Sometimes a location can feel like, “Where is Hope?” But it turns out it isn’t that far from Columbus or Greensburg. That is probably one of our biggest limitations because we have the ability to support all our surrounding counties, it is just a matter of getting people to realize we aren’t that far.

Q: Over the past few years, Hope’s business district has begun undergoing revitalization, so to speak, with new businesses coming to town and the Square. What changes have you seen in the community over the years?
A: I’ve lived in Hope my entire life. It definitely has grown over the years and the good thing about living in a small town is the people definitely try to patronize our local businesses. So the community support has always been great and I feel like as new people come in they jump onto that. I feel like our presence in Hope has always also grown over the years. As we add new products, and we have grown, it has been beneficial. Most people think you wouldn’t have success in a small rural county.

Q: What would you tell those who haven’t had an opportunity to visit Hope?
A: It is a surprising little town. The people and businesses will surprise you. There are a lot of great businesses in such a small community and lot of hardworking good people who support each other.

Q: What are your hopes and thoughts with regard to Estes’ legacy and moving forward?
A: We hope to continue to grow and increase our outreach to neighboring communities. One of our values here is we, in return, shop back small. So, when we buy our parts, if there is a vendor in Hope we will support them. If we need special parts, we will shop at the local Napa before going to another one. Just things like that. Even though it is things you can outsource, we shop locally as much as we can. One of the other things Mr. Estes was definitely passionate about was the community. He and his wife, Mary Lou, established the Garry and Mary Lou Estes Scholarship Fund for a senior every year and we hope to continue to support the community in his name.