In 1970, Espy took delivery of its first truck-load of lumber from Holly Hill Lumber. Wesley Espy is the third from the right in this photograph.

In 2005, Espy expanded its delivery fleet as well as the Okatie location storage facilities. One of the new trucks in the fleet is in the background here.

Founded by Wesley Espy in 1958, the company began doing business on Hilton Head two years after the first bridge was built linking the island to the mainland. Initially, its primary business was to furnish concrete to the emerging resort developers.

2008--Espy Celebrates 50th Anniversary.

Espy moved to a larger location on Arrow Road in 1972. During the 1960's, as Hilton Head's population grew from 900 to 2,500, the business was broadened to include lumber and building materials. As a result, the company outgrew its original location on what is today Pope Avenue. Espy sold the concrete operation in the 70's and continued to expand the lumber and building materials business.

In the spring of 1979 the current ownership acquired the company from Wesley Espy's estate.

In 1984, Espy developed and secured the necessary approvals for a master plan for the Arrow Road site, cleared the adjacent parcel, and began operating from the entire site, continuing to expand the business in lumber and building materials.

Mike Reeves was promoted from Outside Sales to General Manager in 1986. It became apparent that, in order for Espy to continue to grow, it would have to make some management changes and expand its products and services to better meet the needs of an increasingly sophisticated and demanding marketplace.

The Millwork Division opened in 1987 under Don Owens. The Millwork Division was established in order to expand the business in windows, doors, and interior trim. The division continues to be of growing importance to the company.

1990 -- New showroom at the Hilton Head location, and Contract Hardware Division added. In 1988, plans were initiated to completely gut Espy's main 10,000-square-foot building to construct offices and a 4,000-square-foot showroom. Additionally, plans were made to build a new 10,000-square-foot warehouse. The warehouse was completed in spring, 1989. Construction was begun on the showroom and offices in October 1989, and the showroom opened for business in April 1990. This additional space has enabled Espy to offer a complete selection of power tools and accessories, builders' hardware, hand tools, fasteners, decorative hardware and bath accessories, paint sundries, as well as plumbing and electrical supplies.

2001--Okatie Store Opens. In January 1998, a 12-acre site was acquired in the Okatie/Cherry Point area at the intersection of SC highways 141 and 170. Plans were begun for a second location to serve the expanding construction activity on the mainland. Ground was broken in May 2000, and the yard opened for business in January 2001.