Almost two years ago, Tim Young transitioned from being a Discount Home Center employee to holding the keys to his favorite job— in a single day. A strapping, ambitious 29-year-old built like an NFL Tight End, Young is not the face one would expect to see when asking for the owner of the largest flooring store in Jasper.

“I worked at Discount Home Center from 2013 to late 2016, and I loved my experience here,” Young says. “When I worked at other jobs, I always looked back on my time at the store and remember how much I had fun and enjoyed helping the customers. When I came back in 2020 and was presented with an opportunity to own it, there was no way I could say no. To be 27 years old and own my own business in a profession I love was the opportunity of a lifetime.”

Discount Home Center, established in 2010 by Gilford “Red” Whittle of Red’s Carpets, is a one-stop-shop specializing in flooring, cabinets, and vanities. The 12,500-square-foot warehouse located on Highway 78 has plenty of items customers need to remodel their home.

In 2020, Whittle decided to focus solely on Red’s Carpets and hand off the company to someone with a passion for interior design, ushering in a new era for the home center.

Young’s eyes light up when he talks about Discount Home Center and the future of the business, so it’s easy to understand why Whittle chose him. Young graduated from Walker High School in 2011 and earned his degree in drafting and design from Bevill State Community College (BSCC) in 2013. Between stints at Discount Home Center, he worked at an engineering firm to put his drafting degree to use but didn’t like sitting in front of a computer all day. He missed working with his hands and helping customers.

“It was such a big risk and a little scary to take over the store,” Young admits. “It’s been so rewarding. I never planned or imagined owning the store, but the opportunity fell into my lap. My first day owning the store was just like the day before. I told my team I wasn’t going to change a thing and let’s get back to work. Since that day, I’ve watched the business grow steadily.”

Discount Home Store exists to help homeowners transform their house into a home without breaking the bank. Great prices and his wonderful staff are what keeps this business thriving, Young admits.

“Honestly, a great team of friends surrounds me,” he says. 78