Rent-All's new owner Terry Antonich purchased the business June 1.
SEELEY LAKE - Terry Antonich spent his youth on Lake Inez, and hoped one day he would be able to find a career in Seeley. So when Dick Lewis decided to retire from Rent-All, Antonich took over.
"Having always wanted to own my own business and putting myself in a financial position to take advantage of a business opportunity, I jumped on the opportunity to purchase an established business in Seeley Lake," said Antonich.
Antonic graduated from the University of Montana in 2000 with a degree in Wildlife Biology, all while working in construction to make his way. He first took his degree to Idaho, where he studied salmon and steelhead for the state's Department of Fish and Game for seven years.
He then worked for FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) as an Environmental Manager as well as guiding elk hunts in the fall in Montana and Wyoming for the past 11 years.
When he was looking for businesses in Seeley lake, Rent-all attracted him due to his background in construction, as well as knowing the company would still run the same when he became the boss.
"I felt I would enjoy this business at a daily level lasting many years," Antonich said.
Rent-All was founded by Dick Lewis and his wife Cindy in 1999. There was no local company that rented tools necessary for people to maintain their homes and contractors to operate. After 21 years, the company is still running, but it will begin to operate without Lewis at the helm.
"I've been doing it for 21 years and I'm close to 65 so it was time to have someone excited about it, do it," said Lewis.
Though he is leaving the business, Lewis will help Antonich with learning how to handle the business side of Rent-All. After that, Lewis is not clear what his plan is, though he knows he will be in Seeley Lake for the summers.
Besides changing ownership, not much has changed for Rent-All. They will continue to service equipment heavier than one-ton, diesel and small engines. They are still a certified Honda dealer and will work on small Briggs and Stratton engines. Rent-All also offers small and large amounts of topsoil, rock and fill to help complete any project.
"Rent-All will continue to provide excellent customer service while offering quality tools and equipment for rent to homeowners and contractors alike," said Antonich.
Personnel are expected to stay the same. Andy Stroh has been with them for the past 35 years. He is a heavy equipment and diesel mechanic that fixes Rent-All's equipment, does metal fabrication and works on various clients' equipment. Steve Gifford is Rent-All's rental manager and has worked there for 12 years. He delivers the equipment, gives the renter a quick tutorial on how to use it and then ensures all contracts are met.
"There's a lot of experience with the business," said Lewis.
Rent-All offers more than 400 different items to rent. This includes excavators, lifts, trailers, backhoes, wood splitters and bobcats for homeowners and contractors to complete outdoor projects.
Antonich hopes to add an interactive website to promote the business and allow for online reservations. He also expects to increase the inventory based on customer requests.
There is a minimum rental fee and then items can be rented by the half day, full day, week or month.
Rent-All is located at 163 Redwood Lane in Seeley Lake. They can be reached at 406-677-2200 or email [email protected]
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