A new business that strives to provide landscapers in the area with the supplies they need opened its doors in Battle Ground on April 4.
Co-owner Ward Pearson started up Bark Ranch Landscape Supply with his wife, Laurisa, after he spent 20 years as a truck driver.
“I’ve been in the trucking industry, and I’ve always enjoyed the rock products and the soil products,” said Ward. “I bring in a wide variety of rocks ranging from local stuff to regional, and even stuff from Idaho and Montana.”
The new business also offers bark products, many of which come from Longview.
The business came to fruition after a year and half of planning before they officially opened. Bark Ranch offers bulk sales and also offers delivery. It is geared toward both landscapers and homeowners.
Since this is the couple’s first time owning a business of this kind, Ward said his goal is focused on keeping their customers happy.
“We have good product. We have a very brand new and clean yard, and our goal is just to earn people’s trust and their business and satisfy customers,” Ward said. “I know if they come in here, that’s what they’ll get.”
Bark Ranch carries around 30 different products, with the goal of offering customers a large assortment of materials to choose from. Some materials he highlighted include black rock, champagne rock, rusty granite rock, and rainbow rock.
“We have some unique things that we bring in from all over this state and other states to try to give customers a nice variety and nice options they might not have elsewhere,” Ward said.
As co-owners, Ward said he and Laurisa do “a little bit of everything.” They run the office, truck in their own materials, and load up customers’ vehicles. He also highlighted his office manager, Jamie Dullenty, who he said knows the product well and has years of experience in the industry.
“We’re really glad to have her on board,” Ward said. “She brings 20-plus years of this industry experience with her, so she’s great.”
In terms of the bark they carry, Ward highlighted their medium and dark fir, and dark hemlock, which he said is “hard to come by.” With hemlock in particular, Ward said it’s “sliverless by nature,” which results in a beautiful product. He said the bark can be used for any landscape application. It can be used to spruce up people’s yards and flowerbeds, as well as planting trees or shrubs.
“It not only looks beautiful, but then there’s real benefits to bark too, as far as moisture retention and weed prevention on a practical side,” Ward said. “Obviously being a 100% natural product, it eventually decomposes into the soil again, so it’s a good thing all around.”
Ward said the business includes his employee Sabino Herrera, who helps with the company’s delivery truck and loads supplies. Then there’s Eric Willauer, who picks up product for the company part-time and is also a captain for Alaska Airlines.
Aside from being a co-owner of Bark Ranch, Laurisa said she has been a nurse in Portland for 23 years. She said she enjoys Bark Ranch, as the couple lives near the property and doesn’t have to commute very far.
Bark Ranch Landscape Supply is located at 1213 SW Eaton Blvd. in Battle Ground. The business is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
