About
Who We Are
A Regional Partner Built Around the Way Northern Michigan Builds.
For more than a century, Preston Feather has helped support the homes, businesses, and communities that continue shaping Northern Michigan.
Today, Preston Feather operates five building centers and showrooms across Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Gaylord, Traverse City, and Boyne City — supporting projects ranging from custom homes and remodels to multifamily and light commercial construction.
What began as a local lumber company has evolved into one of the region’s leading building material and design partners, built around trusted relationships, specialized expertise, dependable service, and generations of family leadership.
Built for Northern Michigan
Helping Projects Move Forward with Confidence.
Building in Northern Michigan comes with unique challenges.
Short construction seasons, unpredictable weather, remote jobsites, and highly customized projects all require planning, coordination, and reliable partners.
Builders, architects, homeowners, and developers all depend on clear communication, dependable scheduling, and trusted support to help keep projects on track from start to finish.
That’s why experience, coordination, and follow-through matter — especially when timelines are tight and conditions can change quickly.
More Than A Lumber Yard
A Building & Design Partner.
Today, Preston Feather combines the capabilities of a full-service building supplier with dedicated specialists across building materials, windows and doors, cabinetry, and design support.
Across our locations, customers will find showroom experiences, product expertise, delivery coordination, and teams focused on helping simplify complex decisions throughout the building process.
One Connected Team
A Regional Team with Local Roots.
While each Preston Feather location serves its local community, all five locations operate as one connected Northern Michigan team.
That means customers benefit from coordinated inventory and logistics, shared expertise, specialized support, and regional delivery capabilities designed to help projects stay on track.
Because we live and work here too, we understand the realities of building in Northern Michigan — and the importance of dependable partnerships when timelines matter most.
Strengthening our Commitment
Built For What Comes Next.
Preston Feather continues to invest in the people, facilities, technology, and capabilities that help our customers succeed.
From expanded locations and updated showrooms to improved systems, equipment, and specialized expertise, we are continually strengthening our ability to support builders, homeowners, and communities across Northern Michigan.
Because our commitment extends beyond today's projects — we're building a stronger company for the generations ahead.
Our History
More Than 100 Years of Building Northern Michigan.
For more than a century, Preston Feather has continued evolving alongside the communities and builders we serve across Northern Michigan.
1915
Preston Arthur Feather partners with William Wingate to form Feather and Wingate. Their craftsmanship helps shape many of Petoskey’s early landmark buildings.
1920s–1930s
Recognizing the efficiency of buying lumber in bulk, Preston begins selling surplus materials to other builders. The company’s first lumberyard opens along the railroad tracks on Sheridan Street in Petoskey.
1940s
During World War II, the government repurposes the Sheridan Street property to process milkweed floss for military lifejackets. Preston Feather & Sons relocates to 405 Lake Street and continues serving local builders through wartime shortages.
Post-War Era
Following World War II, the company moves to 900 Spring Street in Petoskey. The site becomes Preston Feather’s long-term headquarters during Northern Michigan’s post-war building boom.
1979
Bill and Julie Norcross purchase the business from the Feather family and begin a new era of growth and modernization, including construction of a new 7,000 square foot hardware showroom.
1985
Specialized showrooms for windows, doors, and cabinetry are introduced alongside a central distribution center designed to improve service for builders and homeowners across the region.
1996
A new 12,000 square foot Building Center opens in Gaylord, expanding Preston Feather’s reach and support throughout Northern Michigan.
2006
Construction is completed on a new 24,000 square foot facility in Harbor Springs, adding expanded showroom, warehouse, and operational capacity for customers across the region.
2012
Preston Feather establishes its initial presence in Traverse City through leased facilities, supporting the region’s growing custom home and remodeling market.
2015
Kirk and Lynne Jabara acquire the company from the Norcross family and continue investing in people, facilities, and long-term regional growth.
2016
A new 13,000 square foot showroom and yard opens in Traverse City, establishing a permanent presence in one of Northern Michigan’s fastest-growing building markets.
2021
Rachel and Jake Huntman purchase majority ownership of the company from Rachel’s parents, continuing Preston Feather’s family leadership while renewing focus on people, partnership, and innovation.
2024
Preston Feather is named Dealer of the Year by LBM Journal in recognition of innovation, customer service, and more than a century of trusted relationships within the building industry.
2025
Preston Feather acquires Barden Lumber in Boyne City, adding a fifth location and continuing another long-standing Northern Michigan building legacy.
2026
Completion of a new 30,000 square foot expansion in Traverse City increases distribution and logistics capacity to better support builders and projects across the region.
Today
Today, Preston Feather continues investing in people, technology, facilities, inventory, and customer experience — always built on trust, driven by people, and rooted in Northern Michigan.
Our Core Values
People know us for going above and beyond. From our front counter to our drivers, every one of us has our customer’s best interest in mind. We always try to stay a step ahead on their projects to keep things running smoothly and efficiently. We anticipate problem areas before they become problems.
We earn our customers’ confidence, business, loyalty, and friendship through:
Integrity
We will always conduct ourselves in an honest and ethical manner.
Compassion
We will be fair, loyal, and supportive of our employees.
Purpose
We will be a responsible corporate citizen in our communities.
Merit
We will reach for excellence and continuous improvement every day.
Accountability
We will be accountable to each other and to our customers as we strive to be the best.