Sarah Ebeling | Managing Editor
For months now, things have been busier than usual at Hartford Building Center (HBC). The business, purchased in 2008 by Joe and Lisa Hellvig, is undergoing a transformation.
Last November they broke ground and by January, the company’s expansion got underway. Work will be completed soon and a grand opening is planned for next month.
Joe, who is from Watertown and Lisa, a Tri-Valley graduate, moved to Hartford in 1989 and have been running HBC the past 12 years. Joe, a former contractor and draftsman had worked both the wholesale and retail side of construction and having his own business was his dream. Lisa worked full time in Sioux Falls and then did the books on nights and weekends while Joe took care of everything else.
The couple’s son, Travis, has been a part of HBC since the beginning Lisa said.
“He ate, breathed and loved it. He was always curious and wanted to know it all. During high school Travis worked at the lumber yard when not in school,” she explained.
However, things changed in 2014 when Joe had a massive stroke, leaving him unable to work in the family business. It was after Joe’s stroke that Travis, having just finished college, stepped into the leadership role of running the family business.
Lisa said she helped out but was busy with Joe, who spent three months in the hospital, followed by countless hours of doctor appointments and therapy.
Once Lisa returned to work in the spring, she and Travis worked to find a new normal between the two of them working and running the lumberyard. Travis’s wife Erika joined them working in the family business.
And so, because the business has grown so much, they made the decision to expand.
“With Hartford on the cusp of expansion with all the new developments, new businesses coming to town, we felt like this was the time that we do an expansion so that we are ready to grown with the town,” said Lisa.
With the addition of 6400 square feet, HBC will see an increase in retail space, a designated showroom, space for windows, doors and other building materials, adequate office space and a conference room.
Lisa said she thinks retail space will nearly triple from what they have now.
“We will be adding new products and more stuff to offer,” she said.
She noted they are excited to be able to offer products that customers aren’t even aware they sell, such as flooring, counter tops, bath and lighting fixtures.
HBC has remained open to the public throughout the construction and on Friday, June 12 will celebrate their 12th anniversary in business.
“We are excited to be able to provide more to the community and give them more opportunities to shop local for their needs,” said Lisa.
She noted that she is so thankful for the staff and customers that they have had with everything the family has gone through.
“One thing Hartford is good at is rallying around those that are going through difficulties,” said Lisa.
She said she hopes to be in Hartford for many years to come and hopes she is able to give back, even a little of what her family has received.