About us

"I was absolutely thrilled to hear of the award," says Acme Planing Mills Vice-President, Julie Deavu. "This is the second year in a row and it is wonderful recognition from our community."

2011 WINNER  READER'S CHOICE AWARD  FOR BEST LUMBER STORE

The company, in operation for 60+ years and a staple of the Huntsville/Lake of Bays community, has taken top honours for the second year in a row as Best Lumber Store in the Huntsville Forester Readers' Choice Awards.

"It is wonderful to receive this recognition from our community and to know our customers voted us in this honour," says Deavu.

"It also means a great deal to our hardworking staff who deserve this wonderful award. Many members of our staff have been employed at Acme for decades and offer our customers knowledgeable, professional service from their years of working in the lumber and building material industry," Deavu explains. "We provide first-rate customer service, offer competitive prices, sell a great product, belong to a fabulous buying group and have built up a strong customer base over the years."

Castle Building Centres became a buying group for the lumber and building materials (LBM) industry in Ontario in 1963. Acme became a member of Castle Building Centres in 1979. Today, Castle Building Centres has more than 250 members all across Canada, and its member base continues to grow every year. Each Castle store is independently owned and operated by people in each community. Their operating principals are captured in a simple statement: "Freedom of one. Strength of many."

Castle is a member-owned and member-directed buying group. That means Acme is able to buy quality Canadian lumber at the best price and, in turn, is able to pass that on to the customer. They are free to purchase from any vendor, so customers get the best building materials they need to get the job done.

Deavu welcomes the community to give Acme Planing Mills a call to discuss building and renovating needs. "We take pride that we're not a big box store or franchise," says Deavu. "We are a one-family Canadian business offering professional, friendly and helpful service."

Acme Planing Mills History

Acme Planing Mills was started as a family business 60 years ago by Elmer Stenabaugh and Gib Antcliffe.

Upon Gib Antcliffe's retirement, Elmer Stenabaugh and Jack Stenabaugh became partners (Carl Stenabaugh's grandfather and father). Upon Elmer's retirement, Jack and Ron Mitchell became partners. In 1977 Carl and Jack became partners. Then, in 1985 Carl became the sole owner. Acme has seen four generations so far.

Acme's first location was in Huntsville's west end, on Airport Rd. It was a good location for many years due to its close proximity to the railroad. Acme began as a planing mill, in which their main business was to cut and dress lumber and sell it within the retail industry. A fire then destroyed the planing mill part of Acme and the business continued in the retail sector only.

In 1977 when the new four-lane highway was constructed, it cut off the access to Airport Road, and Acme moved to 285 Muskoka Road 2, which is Acme's current location. The move was excellent for the business, increasing the size of the buildings, the yard and the overall prosperity of Acme.

Carl Stenabaugh began working for Acme in 1968 as a yard helper. When Carl was old enough to get his license, he became a delivery truck driver. Slim (Raymond Earl), who taught Carl all about lumber, also trained him on the truck. In 1985 Carl's father Jack retired and Carl became the owner of Acme Planing Mills. Carl's wife Brenda has been with Acme in the accounting department for over 20 years.

In 2003 Carl's daughter Julie graduated from Business College and joined the management team of Acme, with plans to become the owner and continue the family business.

We take pride that we are not a box store or franchise. We are a one-family business that offers kind, friendly and helpful service. Acme Planing Mills is dedicated to bringing our customers the best prices, the best quality and the best service, now and in the years to come.