Although the 2010 Business of the Year has all seasons "covered," owner Ronald Weiler says that the spring and summertime are certainly the most hectic.
“It’s very intense,” he admitted, and after a moment, chuckled at the accidental pun.
As it happens, Weiler spends most of the warmer months quite literally in tents.
Sterling Tents & Awnings, Inc., was chosen by the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce to receive the award on April 9.
“It feels really great,” Weiler said. “It’s quite an honor for just a small business with all the big businesses around. You would never think it would happen for a small operation like ours so it really feels great.”
Weiler recalls a day that changed his life forever -- a Monday night in early August of 1958 -- the day he met his wife, Sandra Sterling. They were just teenagers at the time.
“After we started going together, I started helping out with the business,” Weiler said, smiling as he stood in his office at 150 Pearl St.
“And here we are now.”
Sandra’s grandfather founded Sterling Tents & Awnings in 1911, making this year a century of coverings, tents and custom-made protection from the elements.
“We sort of help people to enjoy the outdoors,” Weiler said. “We all live in Western New York.”
Weiler pointed out the benefits that a small operation like his can provide to a customer.
“What really sets us apart is that we’re not a big box store,” he said. “We can handle individual needs, wants and desires and match them up to the application, pocketbook and the date it has to happen.”
Weiler also said that he and his employees take special pride in the customer service that Sterling Tents & Awnings is able to provide.
“Our doors are always open and you can always get a live person on the phone – we don’t have a recording or a lot of prompts. It’s an easy access type personnel that just drives to satisfy.
Sterling Tents & Awnings may be a family name, but Weiler likes for his customers to identify the business and service with a “sterling” reputation as well.
“Whether it’s protecting your party or wedding under your patio or just protecting an investment (boats, motorcycles, etc.), we’d like to see you have fun outdoors. That’s our goal.”
Top photo, from left: Kelsey Ferguson, Russell Irwin, Sandy Wilson, Ron Weiler.
"i pitched tents one summer,
"i pitched tents one summer, but i wasn't in a circus". still talk about that summer to this day. quite an adventure...