Our History

The founder of Evans Lumber, Theo Evans moved to Chattanooga from Atlanta, Georgia. After working for a furniture store for a few years, in 1954 Theo started his lumber business. He would drive around Chattanooga and look for foundations that were being laid and would broker the wood that was needed to frame the house.

In the early 60’s, Theo brought his brother, Chick, into the business. It was at this time they started buying building materials and supplying them on their own.

Theo Evans locates his business at our current location at 2700 8th ave. Theo Evans, C.A.Parks, and Tommy Lupton build on Evans adjacent property and start Architectural Millwork.

Theo Evans hires Chip Rennick as a counter salesman. Later in the decade, Evans falls onto hard times. The Economy falls and bad debts are on the rise. Theo decides to file Chapter 11 in 1986. The creditors vote down the petition and choose to move to chapter 7 instead. Chip, Theo and Chick round up support in the vendor community and are able to convince the creditors not to move forward with liquidation. After 10 long years, Chip Rennick personally carried the final payment to the Trustee.

Theo Evans loses his battle with cancer and passes away in August 1998. In September of 1998, Chip Rennick leaves Evans Lumber and goes to work for Architectural Millwork and C.A. Parks next door.

Chip Rennick and an investor purchase Evans Lumber company from the Estate of Theo Evans.

Chip Rennick, after a total of forty-four years at Evans, decides to retire. For the sake of his customers and employees, Chip wants to ensure the culture is maintained at Evans and wants to avoid selling to a conglomerate. He finds the perfect fit and sells to Brent and Audrey Smith of Chattanooga.

Aerial photograph of Evans Lumber in the 1970’s