Create an Ad: Johns Building Supply

DALTON, Mass. — In 1954, Johns Building Supply made and delivered the stone used to build Craneville Elementary School's. Today, the family-owned business came full circle by inviting the school's fourth-grade students to create advertisements for their company.

 

Just weeks before summer vacation, students in Dawn Sickell's class brought to life its various products that meet the needs of local masons, contractors, and homeowners. 

 

Johns Building Supply, founded in 1948 by John and Helen Koziara, has a foundation built on the principles of service, honesty, and integrity — values that helped establish the company as one of the area's premier concrete product manufacturers.

 

"We were the local company, and so we not only did this school, we did Williamstown Elementary, Lanesborough Elementary, the reconstruction of Reid Middle School, Herberg Middle School, Taconic High School, [and more,]" second-generation owner William "Buster" Koziara said. 

 

"When it comes to schools and stuff — we were a powerhouse. It not only was good for me, but I think it was good for the community, too." 

 

In 1975, Koziara followed in his parents' footsteps and expanded the family business beyond masonry products by opening an Ace Hardware store across the street from the original location. The store offers everything from patio and walkway materials, lawnmowers and battery operated tools, outdoor furniture, and brick and stone to a wide variety of home improvement products.

 

While the products and services have expanded, Johns Building Supply's commitment to the community has stayed the same, from supporting local sports teams and school activities to raising money for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, which benefits Albany Children's Hospital. 

 

Aligning with this effort, the business wanted the advertisements to also celebrate America's 250th anniversary, as it takes pride in carrying American-made, veteran-owned, and locally made products whenever possible.

 

"We have a couple of different sauces and rubs that are made by veteran-owned companies, so the proceeds will go back to help raise money for our own veterans," ACE Hardware general manager Peggi Jeanne Flood said. 

 

"We wouldn't be celebrating 250 years if it weren't for the fact that they had put in so much of their own life to help us, so being able to find little ways to incorporate that and give it back to them — it's very important to us. 

 

The store also regularly welcomes service dog training groups, providing them a space to teach the animals how to help their handlers in a public place, she said. 

 

Many people who use service dogs are veterans working with Great Danes trained to provide mobility support and other forms of assistance, Flood said. 

 

"That's a great thing, it gives these people the ability to be out in the public, and it just kind of touches us." 

 

The students did just that, with many incorporating fireworks, flags, and red, white, and blue into their advertisements while showcasing homes, walkways, patios, lawns, and other outdoor spaces built with materials from Johns Building Supply.

 

"It's important to have a small family option, as opposed to the big box stores. I feel like we're more in touch with the community, they're the ones that help us be successful in the area, so it's nice to be able to help them be successful as well," Flood said. 

 

On the day of the school visit, Koziara and Flood gave students American flags and red John's Ace Hardware ballcaps, which they proudly wore during the class photo. 

 

Koziara said he liked seeing the incorporation of blocks and brick because that is what he grew up doing. 

 

"[The drawings were] amazing. It's so much fun to see the creative minds of the kids … and the different ideas that everybody came up with, knowing the same information, seeing how they portray that in their drawings," Flood said. 

 

"I love to get that out of the box idea, because we work with advertising all the time, and you see a lot of repetition, and it's hard to come up with ideas. So, this is fun for us because it gives you a new perspective." 

 

The students incorporated so many details that encompass the work they do at Johns Building Supply and Johns Ace Hardware, from firepits, patios, walkways, pools, to big lawns, while also drawing attention to the longevity of the company and America, she said. 

 

This month, Johns Building Supply selected four winners — a Johns Building Supply "Favorite," which was awarded to Charis Yeo, and first, second, and third place winners for the Outstanding Design category, awarded to Yacira Fuentes, Olivia Marshall, and Adalee Wallace, respectively. 

 

Charis' drawing has a backyard scene with a brick wall and lawnmower, clearly showcasing their products.  Also prominently displaced is references to America's 250th Anniversary on a white sign hanging above the doorway and in the sky near fireworks. 

 

In the yard there are USA-themed balloon, one which says, "We heart Johns Building Supply." At the bottom of the ad in front of a yellow background she wrote "Serving the community for 78 years, that's 3 generations." 

 

Yacira's drawing has a big brick house with a patio and a stone walkway that leads to a pool. She also included details such as a lawn mower and hose and a slogan saying "Proud to sell veteran owned products" and 78, to represent the businesses number of years in service. 

 

All these things represent Johns Building Supply and Johns Ace Hardware because they sell patios and supplies such as lawn mowers and hoses, in addition to making bricks and stone for things like walkways, she said. 

 

Olivia drew a stone walkway with a fire pit and two chairs. She included details such as birds and the wind breeze. There is also a slogan saying, "Johns Building Supply 78 Years of Serving the Berkshires" is prominently displayed at the top. 

 

This represents the business because they make stone for walkways and fire pits and chairs at Ace Hardware store. She also attempted to make a patio, which they also sell there, Marshall said. 

 

Adalee drew a brick patio with several details including red,nwhite, and blue USA lettering on one of the bricks, a pool, fireworks, and a balloon. There is a firework in the shape of 78, representing how long the business has been in operation, and another 250 firework, recognizing the anniversary of America. 

 

She said it is from the perspective of someone looking outside from the inside of the house, and pointed out the inclusion of chairs and a pool. 

 

This represents the business because they make and sell brick, patios, and lawn chairs, she said.