When I wrote “A Corner Worth Building On” in April of last year, construction barriers were about to go up at Main Street and Highway 63. Amanda and I had spent years thinking about this corner, studying its history, and imagining a building that would feel at home here. That first article was our way of sharing what we hoped to do, and why Hayward means so much to us.

Now, with our Grand Opening just a few days away, I’ve been thinking about everything that has happened between putting up those barriers and getting ready to welcome you through the doors.

Building on a corner like this comes with a particular kind of responsibility, especially given the historical significance of the buildings that have stood here before this one. You’re making decisions about a place people pass on their way to work, on a walk through town, or during a visit they’ve looked forward to all year. The building becomes part of their view of Hayward. Amanda and I have carried that thought with us through this project, and I hope the care behind those decisions comes through when you visit.

I especially love the firepit in the courtyard. Last summer, excavation uncovered an old boulder foundation beneath the site, a piece of this corner’s history that had been sitting quietly underground for a century. Those stones are now part of the firepit, worked into place by masons whose skill I could happily stand and watch all afternoon. Soon, someone will pull up a chair beside them and settle into a conversation as the evening cools. I like knowing that a piece of the old building will be right there with them.

Upstairs, the balcony railings were inspired by early-1900s steelwork. The original design gained a drink rail after Nick Garcia, our project superintendent, built a railing prototype during the Birkie last winter. An essential improvement once we’d spent some time out there. I’m looking forward to seeing people lean against it, set down their cups, and enjoy the view along Main Street.

Inside, Ellie Ellis brought another kind of craftsmanship to the building. She spent over 700 hours creating our 13.5-foot plaster relief, shaping and carving it by hand with a patience I find hard to comprehend. In a town whose early life revolved around logging and the Big Mill, I appreciate the connection between that history of hands-on work and the care Ellie put into this piece. So much of this project has been about remembering the people whose work helped build Hayward, and being thoughtful about the work we contribute ourselves. Ellie has given us a beautiful expression of that care. When you visit, I hope you’ll take some time to look closely. We’re fortunate to have her work here, and I’m excited for you to see it.

There are people behind every one of these details, and as we approach opening weekend, I find myself thinking about them as much as the building itself. The crews and craftspeople who have spent their days here know this place in a way that everyone walking through it this weekend will just begin to understand. They know where the challenges were and how much work lives beneath the finished surfaces. Amanda and I are humbled by the care they’ve given it.

We’re grateful to our downtown neighbors, too. A year of construction is a lot to live beside when running a business. They’ve worked around the noise, the deliveries, and the changing routes along the sidewalk, all while continuing to welcome people into their shops and restaurants. We’ve admired this business community for a long time, and we’re honored to be joining them on Main Street.

Our First Light Partners and founding members have given us another kind of encouragement. They committed to being part of The Lumber Exchange while much of the experience was still being imagined. That trust has meant the world to us. So has the dedication of our Lumber Exchange team, who are preparing to welcome people, answer questions, and help everyone find their footing in a new space.

We’re excited to show you the building, and I’m already imagining an “ordinary day” here, once people have had a chance to settle in. Someone gets a good morning’s work done in a favorite spot while a local business gathers its team around a conference table. A nonprofit brings together the people who help it serve this community. Two people who’ve been working a few tables apart finally strike up a conversation. We’ve had days like these in mind throughout the project, creating places where people can give their work the attention it deserves and find good company along the way.

Over time, I hope those days add up to a place people feel comfortable returning to. Somewhere they’re glad to spend part of their week, where they know a few names and are happy to learn a few more.

I hope that feeling carries out onto Main Street, too. A walk to lunch, a stop in one of our neighbors' shops, a happy-hour beverage, or a meeting that ends with plans to see each other again. We want to contribute to Hayward's daily life and support the businesses and organizations that have done that work for years. There is a lot to appreciate here, and we’re glad to have a place among it.

This weekend gives us a chance to thank the people who helped us get here and share the building with the community. On Saturday, October 3rd, we’ll hold a private celebration with the crews, craftspeople, partners, and others who made it possible. On Sunday, October 4th, from 11 am to 2 pm, everyone is welcome at our free Community Open House. Come take a look around, head upstairs, spend a little time in the courtyard, and ask whatever you’ve been wondering as you’ve watched the building take shape. There’s no need to RSVP.

Coworking begins the week of October 5, and the espresso bar will follow in early November. We’re looking forward to settling into the place's daily rhythm alongside you.

In that first article, I wrote about being a boy in the back of my parents’ minivan, forehead against the window, waiting for us to reach Hayward. I still remember how it felt to get closer, knowing the people and places I loved were just a little farther up the road.

That feeling has stayed with me, and it’s a big part of why Amanda and I wanted to build here. We hope that, over time, The Lumber Exchange becomes one of those places for you: somewhere familiar, with people you’re glad to see and reasons to keep coming back.