Walk into the Bernard Building Center Hale location on a Tuesday morning and you won't find the sanitized, fluorescent-bleached atmosphere of a big-box retailer. You’ll find people who actually know how to build a house. It’s a Michigan staple. Honestly, in a world where everything feels like it’s becoming a generic franchise, there is something deeply grounding about a place that still remembers its 1958 roots.
That was the year Berk and Beatty Bernard started a tiny woodworking shop right next to their house. They were making windows. It wasn't fancy. Their kids, Debbie and Bruce, were literally running around the shop while deliveries were being prepped. Fast forward to 2026, and the business has evolved into the largest independent lumber dealer in Northeast Michigan. But the Hale store remains the heartbeat of the operation.
What Most People Get Wrong About Bernard Building Center Hale
A lot of folks assume that because it’s a local "lumber yard," it’s going to be way more expensive than the giant orange or blue warehouses. That's a myth. Or at least, it’s a misunderstanding of value. While a single hammer might cost a buck more, the professional-grade lumber—the stuff that doesn't look like a hockey stick when you try to frame a wall—is where they shine.
They carry #2&BTR (Better) appearance grade treated lumber. Most big-box stores sell "Above Ground" contact wood, but Bernard’s made the switch years ago to "Ground Contact" for their 2x4s and 2x6s. It has a heavier dose of treatment. It lasts longer. If you’re building a deck in the unpredictable Michigan humidity, that matters way more than saving five bucks on a box of screws.
The Secret Service: Custom Home Design
Did you know the Hale location is the only one in the entire chain that currently offers an in-house design service? Most people think you have to hire a high-priced architect in Traverse City or Grand Rapids to get real blueprints. Nope.
You can walk into the Hale store with a napkin sketch of a cabin or a pole barn. Their team uses ProKitchen and other CAD software to turn those messy ideas into 3D renderings and structural plans. They look at code requirements, snow load specs, and soil conditions that are specific to Iosco County. It’s remarkably thorough for a "hardware store."
Why Local Pros Stick with Them
If you’re a contractor in Northern Michigan, time is literally money. You can’t spend three hours wandering aisles looking for a "team lead" who doesn't know the difference between OSB and plywood. At Bernard Building Center Hale, the staff usually has decades of experience.
They offer specific "Project Packages" for:
- Full-scale houses
- Detached garages
- Pole barns
- Storage sheds
These packages aren't just a pile of wood. They are curated lists of materials—siding, roofing, trim, fasteners—vetted against the Michigan Building Code. It’s basically a "house in a box" minus the labor. And because they have locations in Cheboygan, Hillman, and Au Gres, they can move inventory around fast. If Hale is out of a specific Andersen window, they can usually pull it from another branch within a day or two.
The Kitchen and Bath Factor
The 1980s were a big turning point for the Hale store. That’s when they added the kitchen and bath centers. Today, they are a massive Andersen Windows dealer, which is kind of a big deal in the industry. They’ve been at it for over 50 years.
They don't just sell cabinets; they do in-home measuring. If you’ve ever tried to measure your own kitchen for a remodel, you know how easy it is to mess up a 1/4-inch measurement and ruin a $5,000 cabinet order. Having a pro from Hale come out and handle the tape measure is a massive stress-reducer.
Real Community Roots
There was a story a while back—a traveler was heading down Hwy 65 with a camper when the roof started peeling off. Total disaster. They pulled into the Bernard Building Center in Hale on a Saturday, panicked. The staff didn't just point them to the tape aisle. They actually lent the person a ladder and a screw gun to fix the rig right there in the lot.
That’s the kind of thing you just don't get at a national chain. The ownership has stayed in the family, too. Bruce Bernard took over from the founders, and now his sons, Chris and Doug, are co-owners. It’s a three-generation legacy. They live here. They know the snow loads. They know the local builders.
Actionable Tips for Shopping at Bernard’s
If you’re planning a project, don't just show up and wing it. Here is how to actually get the most out of the Hale store:
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- Ask for the Project Sales Department. Don't just talk to the person at the front register if you're building something bigger than a birdhouse. The Project Sales team are the ones who can look at your blueprints and find structural issues before you buy the wrong joists.
- Utilize the Design Tool. If you're a DIYer, use the free design tools on their website before you go in. It gives the staff a baseline to work from.
- Check the Clearance. They often have "mis-ordered" windows or doors at the Hale yard. These are high-end products (like Andersen or Jeld-Wen) that were ordered in the wrong size by someone else. You can sometimes snag a $1,000 door for a fraction of the price if it fits your rough opening.
- Schedule Your Delivery. Their delivery drivers are legendary for getting trucks into tight, wooded lots where other companies refuse to go. If you're building a cabin in the middle of nowhere, talk to them about the site layout first.
The Bernard Building Center Hale location isn't just a place to buy nails. It's a resource. Whether you're fixing a leaky PVC pipe or framing a 3,000-square-foot lake home, the expertise there is genuine. In an era of AI and automation, having a guy named Rick or Scott actually walk you through a lumber grade is invaluable.
If you are starting a renovation, your first move should be heading to the South Washington Street location. Grab a coffee, walk the kitchen showroom, and talk to someone who has actually swung a hammer. It makes a difference.