Landmark Stratton lumberyard closes

STRATTON, Neb. — League Builders, a family-owned business in Stratton, closed its doors on Dec. 31, marking the end of over 70 years of service by the League family. The business was established in 1951 by Roy League, who returned from the Korean War and later purchased Lionberger Lumber Co. in 1976, officially founding League Builders Co. Over the years, Roy’s son Gary and Denis, along with their wives, played integral roles in the business.

Despite efforts to sell the business over the past year, Denis League, the current owner, has not found a buyer. Expressing gratitude for the local construction community’s support, Denis reflects on the challenges of finding successors and emphasizes the importance of promoting trade schools to address the shortage of local tradesmen.

League Builders had acquired the Benkelman Lumber Yard in 1979, but its closure in 2018 marked the beginning of the end. Denis League, who has been running the business since his father’s passing in 2014, has decided to retire. Despite attempts to sell, the business will leave a void in the small community.

Denis plans to spend time in his shop after retirement, and an online auction may take place next spring. The closure raises concerns about the impact on the community, as customers will need to travel to neighboring towns for lumberyard services. The changing economic landscape and a declining local population contribute to the challenges of finding a buyer for League Builders.

The story also highlights the broader changes in rural Nebraska, where small towns like Stratton have experienced significant population declines. While Prairie Girl Candle Company found success in Benkelman after the closure of League Builders’ lumberyard, replicating such success in Stratton appears challenging due to economic pressures.

Denis League acknowledges the difficulty of enticing people to start businesses in small communities. The closure of League Builders Supply adds to the growing number of empty buildings in Stratton, reflecting broader trends in rural depopulation. Despite the challenges, hopes remain that the building won’t sit empty, with potential for new businesses to breathe life into the community.