In business for 150 years, Steffey and Findlay of Hagerstown looks to future

Steffey and Findlay of Hagerstown was founded in 1873 as a business selling coal and lumber that shortly after moved to selling brick.

Recently, the business celebrated 150 years, making it through changes locally, nationally and globally.

Steffey and Findlay history

Phil Adams has owned Steffey and Findlay since 1980, when he bought it from his father, who gained the business in 1929 from Braydon Ridenhour.

The company first started on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal in Williamsport. After several other locations around Hagerstown, the company moved in 1978 to the building on Burhans Boulevard where it resides today, allowing the business to better serve customers, Adams said.

The company sells linear stone, which has taken off in recent years, but it's still selling bricks.

"We are the only retailers of brick in Washington County," Adams said.

Customer service has been key to the business' success, though.

"The customer recognizes that just naturally being a good service to people," Adams said.

The business started out with horse and carriages, then progressed to more capable vehicles. In the 1960s, the business brought on front-end loaders and boom trucks, Adams said.

"It decreased labor delivery and made it easier and safer for employees," he said.

Adams said the business' success comes from its unique services, but more so the employees who have and continue to work for the company.

"We have people that have worked almost their entire careers with us," Adams said.

"It has been a huge joy for me to work with the customers and the employees who are very kind," Adams said, "They are not my family, but they feel like family. It makes me very happy to see them all work like a family."

What's In Store for the Next 150 Years?

Steffey and Findlay has adapted to the change in the community, Adams said, and being flexible has helped the company stay on a good footing.

"We have to keep our eyes open and see change," said Adams.

The future, Adams says, will include concentrating on the landscaping side of the business.

"I think there will be home products coming along but I am not sure what they will be yet," Adams said.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: In business for 150 years, Steffey and Findlay looks to future