Months after purchasing the Jefferson County Lumber Co. in Imperial, the new owners say the store has been a perfect fit for the Hopson Lumber Co. brand. The company’s original location has been operating on De Soto’s Main Street for 145 years.
Hopson Lumber’s third-generation owners, Stokely Wischmeier, 39, and his wife, Nancy, 38, of Festus purchased Jefferson County Lumber in December from Ed Kottmeier and renamed it Hopson Lumber Co. The Wischmeiers acquired the De Soto location from Stokely’s father, Stoke Wischmeier, in January 2024.
Between the two stores, Hopson Lumber now has about 24 employees, Stokely said.
“(The purchase of the Imperial store) happened pretty quickly after we purchased (Hopson) from my father,” he said. “And part of the reason was it was such a good fit for us. It has exceeded my expectations on how good of a fit it was. Employees jokingly say we’re sister stores. We’re so similar – similar products, similar customers, similar culture. I think that’s mostly a testament to both Mr. Kottmeier and my father, as well, having run these businesses so well for all those years.”
Stokely said both stores are multi-generational local family businesses, adding that Ed Kottmeier was also a third-generation owner
“The businesses are very similar in how they’re run – similar in the aspect of how we believe in treating our customers and supporting the local community. We really couldn’t be happier with the transition.”
Stokely said he added a modern computer system to the Imperial store immediately after buying it, just like he did at the De Soto store.
“The other thing we’ve done since taking over (the Imperial store) is try to invest in the infrastructure, the equipment and hopefully in the next several years, we’re going to give the building a brand-new facelift and really try to make the inside of this building a special retail space for homeowners and contractors alike,” he said. “I think with the selection, the great retail shopping environment and our experience, (shopping for) hardware and lumber can be a more enjoyable and a less stressful experience than at some of our corporate competitors.”
Stokely said he hopes to soon add siding to the products available at the Imperial store.
He said Ed Kottmeier was looking to retire and wanted to sell the business to a similar company.
“He’s been a mentor to me the last seven months,” Stokely said. “He’s brought 50 years-plus of industry knowledge and he’s been happy to give input.”
Nancy said Ed Kottmeier still comes in daily to help out.
“Ed has been a tremendous adviser to us at Hopson Lumber,” Nancy said. “His wisdom and support have meant a great deal, and we’re grateful for all he’s done. We look forward to continuing the legacy he’s helped shape.”
In 1926, George Kottmeier purchased Girard Milling Co. in Kimmswick, which sold feed, coal and lumber, Nancy said. George incorporated the growing business and named it Jefferson County Lumber Co. in 1929 and moved it to a new building and lumberyard at Hwy. 61-67 and Main Street in Imperial in 1930. His son, Carl Kottmeier, took over the store in the late 1930s, and it transitioned from a lumber mill to more of a hardware and lumber store.
“Jefferson County Lumber was featured in several building magazines for its innovative post-frame construction,” Nancy said.
She said Carl ran the business until his death in 1988 and then his son, Ed, took over, running the business until December.
“In 1964, Ed went to college and graduated and then joined the Coast Guard Reserves,” Nancy said. “He also attended Mizzou for graduate level courses in wood products and merchandising.”
In addition to owning Jefferson County Lumber, Ed and his other family members owned four lumberyards with locations in Herculaneum, Festus, Pacific and St. Clair, Nancy said.
“With Jefferson County Lumber being in business for nearly 100 years, Ed and his family have helped build Jefferson County as we know it today,” she said.
Stokely said he has interest in opening a third location to continue growing Hopson Lumber Co.
“There is nothing in the works, but I would say we’re open to the possibility of expansion in the near future,” he said.
LBM Journal, a lumber and building materials publication, recently named Stokely, a Marine Corps veteran with a law degree, to its 40 Under 40 list for 2025. The list honors strong, young leaders in the industry. He will be recognized at this year’s LBM Strategies Conference in Nashville, Tenn., in October.
“I became aware that I was nominated for it, and it was really a very cool thing to be recognized in a national publication like that,” he said. “It was surprising. I hope it can help bring some visibility to the company and really help people in this area understand that we exist and we are, I think, a pretty special business. Hopefully, it allows people to see the service and the care we put into what we do for our customers.”
Stokely said he has some advice for the next generation in the lumber and building material business.
“Young people have the opportunity to join a dynamic and rewarding industry filled with challenges, growth and unlimited potential. The LBM industry is incredibly diverse and full of countless career paths. Whether you’re interested in supply chain management, sales, technology or other areas, the possibilities for advancement and success are endless.”