By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

CALERA – After supplying building materials to Calera for more than 55 years, Bird Building Materials has closed its doors.

Maurice and Pat Bird opened their building supply business in 1957. The original building featured the first drive-through lumber building in the area. The current building, which is located at 7901 U.S. 31 in downtown Calera, was built in 1978.

The business sold everything from wood molding made in Montevallo to potbellied stoves made in Chattanooga, Tenn. Bird Building Materials provided supplies across Shelby, Chilton and Bibb counties.

When the Birds decided to retire to pursue other interests, the family recently met with Chip Pearce of Pearce and Associates Auctioneers to discuss auctioning off the business.

“Normally, they’d have a going out of business sale, but they’ve watched other auctions,” Pearce said. “You close the door, lock it and say everything is on the auction block. It creates more excitement and enthusiasm for people knowing it hasn’t been picked over.”

The online auction, located at Nationalonlineauction.com, began Feb. 17 and will end March 7 at 7 p.m.

“In the next few weeks, my staff will be working with the family and organizing everything in a sequence that makes sense,” Pearce said. “Bidders can view the items in person, or can just bid off what they see on the Internet.”

An open house inspection of the business will be March 7 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Pick up and payment for auctioned items will be March 8-9.

“If you register and place a bid, when you get outbid, you get an email or text letting you know you got outbid. We have our own smart phone app, so you can download our software on your smart phone,” Pearce said.

In addition to the company’s equipment, tools and more, Maurice Bird is selling his 1962 Ford Thunderbird, which he purchased new in 1962.