GregorHochschild said:
My new favorite place is Readers (see below). About 1 hour south from Boston. They are awesome!! Huge selection of rough sawn hardwood, some surfaced as well, very good selection of plywood. Top quality. Really nice family business. The rift sawn WO was A1. They can also make cuts for you if you need that. Highly recommend them.
Readers hardwood supply
https://readershardwoodsupply.com
(508) 301-3206
250 Cape Hwy, Unit 9
East Taunton, MA 02718
Hours: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
This is really interesting. For a long time my source for hardwood was Downes & Reader in Stoughton, but I hadn't been there for a long time. Then they got bought out by a company called Rugby ABP and a friend said it wasn't as good anymore because they didn't let you pick your own boards. I'm not sure if that was a pandemic restriction or a permanent change.
I wonder if Reader's in East Taunton is a reincarnation of Downes and Reader. It would be a 45 minute drive for me, compared to 25 minutes to Rugby ABP but seemingly worth it. Will definitely keep them in mind as I much prefer rough lumber to the surfaced stuff at Boulter.