Dolan's Lumber Closing One Store But Retaining Pinole Location

has decided to pull the plug on its Benicia operations but will keep its Pinole store open.

The decision came after the company agreed to sell its Benicia industrial park land to Ponder Environmental Services, Inc. for an undisclosed amount of money.

In a letter to customers announcing the closure, owner Gene Dolan, said Benicia accounts will be handled from the company’s Pinole and Concord locations.

“I am sorry for the inconveniences this move might cause, but I am confident that in the long run, with larger inventories and direct access to our door, window and warehouse services, we will be better able to serve you,” Dolan wrote in the letter.

According to store manager Andy Dickerson, the final deal was struck about 2 weeks ago. Asked when the Benicia store will officially close, Dickerson said, “We’re looking at three to four weeks.” 

Ponder performs a variety of tasks often associated with oil refinery work such as storage tank cleaning, confined space rescue and waste transportation and hazardous waste disposal.

Ponder is currently based in Fairfield. It is unknown if Ponder is planning to close their Fairfield operations or if this move is an expansion. It is also unknown how many new jobs will come to Benicia as a result of the Ponder move.

Companies that do contract work in the oil refineries will hire workers based on the needs of particular jobs. The number of workers depends on the size and complexity of each particular contract.