I originally went to Home Depot but, as luck would have it, they had that gate thingy across the aisles so they weren't accessable. We ended up going to Lowes. The boards were so closely matched in grain and color that I didn't realize they were edge glued until it split.
I will go up to HD tomorrow and see what their stock is. I have glued up butcher blocks before so I know that process. It just seemed like the straight, poplar board was a pretty easy way to go.
Like Dave says, glad this happened in the shop at this early stage. However, I was surprised that without any stress at all it split. Never had that happen with shelves, bookcases, and other stuff. I'm claiming factory defect when I take it back. It cost me $5 per foot for a worthless piece of firewood. Oh well, this stuff happens. I get my enjoyment from the process anyway and you have to look at this as part of the education!