NATCHEZ — A new hardware store that sells “more than just hardware” celebrated its grand opening Wednesday morning, said storeowner Michael Barfield.

Barfield said he and his children opened Build-A-Home, LLC to be a family business which strives to accommodate its customers with “everything they need to build a home from the ground up,” he said.

“We have everything but the lumber so far,” Barfield said.

The store, located at 315 D’Evereux Drive, offers a variety of merchandise including paint, cabinets, furniture, electrical, plumbing, hardware, automotive, lawn and garden tools and fixtures.

The store is open 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7:30 to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

The idea to create a hardware business started approximately six months ago, Barfield said, and has only taken that amount of time to come to full fruition with a full stock, he said and he now sees between 20 to 25 customers daily.

“We’re always taking on different projects,” Barfield said. “One day we sat down and had a family meeting and talked about how we could expand our family and be more involved in the community and help their children and our grandchildren.”

The ownership of the store is shared between Barfield and his children Sharon Patten, Aaron Patten and Linda Patten who’ve also done business in mortgage companies, loans and real estate.

Barfield’s grandchildren, Jairus Patten, Jacquese Smith, Aronte Patten, Travis Patten Jr., Michaela Patten, Zelick Patten Quadrick Bradford, Robert Bradford Jr., Travez Bradford and Brianna Scott also help run and manage the store.

“We’re family,” Barfield said. “We’re a family business and when customers walk in the door we want them to feel at home.”