Selling rock in the Texas Hill Country

Here’s a challenge: How do you sell rocks in the Hill Country?

In the heart of a region known for majestic Live Oaks, rolling hills and rocks, and more rocks, Ryan Towns has figured it out. Towns opened Landscape Junction at 8989 RR12 about six months ago and he has seen his business grow steadily.

His 2 1/2-acre yard features rocks from all over the area as well as decomposed granite, sand and various soils. “We’re not going to carry everything like the (big) guys, but we pretty much have what people need for landscaping,” Towns says.

Landscape Junction gets its rocks from all over, Oklahoma, West Texas, the Rio Grande Valley and quarries around Austin. He supplies large commercial contractors as well as the do-ityourself homeowners. Recently a woman came in to buy a rock for her deceased husband’s tombstone. That sale required a little extra care. The woman wanted a certain shape, size and color. She found the perfect rock.

At this time there aren’t any plans to stock exotic rocks. “We don’t get into anything super expensive,” says Towns. “We try to be as competitive as we can, but you have to base the price accordingly. The price of rocks has remained pretty stable, but delivery charges fluctuate.”

Towns did have a leg up when he opened Landscape Junction. He has been in the commercial landscaping business for about 16 years and his other, larger company, Towns Commercial Landscaping, has some big accounts.

The company currently is working on the landscaping at Buc-ee’s gas stations and convenience stores in Denton and Dallas. They have a contract with a new Valencia Group luxury hotel in Irving. They have beautified a Lexus dealership and landscaped apartment complexes all over the state.

Surprisingly, Towns doesn’t buy a lot of his material from Landscape Junction. Because his projects tend to be big and scattered all over the state, he usually orders his rocks and gravel directly from the quarries.

What does the future hold for Landscape Junction? “We have high hopes for this place,” says Towns. “ I think it will really take off. We have gotten good feedback from the public. Once this gets rolling in the right direction, we’ll take a look at plants and other stuff. I know what it takes to make a good, one-stop landscaping center.”

Towns moved to Wimberley from Kyle about 7 years ago with his wife Mandi, and sons Lane, 13, and Luke, 8.

Towns has a lot on his plate. He gives credit to Landscape Junction Manager Kathy Vermillion and Yard Manager Jake Bell for keeping the new business humming along. “While I am involved everyday, I let them run the show here,” he says.

The yard is pretty well stocked now. Towns says during the fall and winter the inventory will stay about where it is now, then they will ramp up this spring.

The biggest seller is decomposed granite. “We sell a ton of decomposed granite — well actually more than a ton, many tons,” Towns says with a chuckle. Soils and sand are popular when the weather is right. Towns says you never know what will sell. He will order certain types of rocks and they will sit around for months, then suddenly someone comes in and cleans out his supply.

Yard Manager Bell tells a story about a woman who came in the other day and wanted a half a yard of gravel (about half a ton) loaded into the back of her SUV. Bell patiently explained that that was not a great idea. It would trash her vehicle and be almost impossible to load. An alternative delivery method was arranged.

Landscape Junction takes pride in friendly service. Customers — whether they are buying tons of landscape rocks or a single stone — are greeted with a smile when they drive in the lot.

“We have high hopes for this place. I think it will really take off. We have gotten good feedback from the public.”
Ryan Towns, Landscape Junction