Building businesses

The busy year continues for local business in the Sundance area, from a gas station upgraded to a local corner store to a new plumbing and excavation service.

Z Lazy Y Services

Almost a decade of skill-gathering with Sundance’s public works department and prior experience with Timberline Services put Zach Steele in an ideal position to strike out on his own and launch Z Lazy Y Services this year.

“I have a little-bit-of-everything experience from the city, that’s for sure – fixing a main, excavation, understanding the water and sewer systems,” he says.

“It seemed like there was a need for a smaller excavation business around. There are several big ones, but it was harder for them to do littler projects like the ones I’ve been doing because they’re so busy doing the big stuff.”

Z Lazy Y Services offers assistance with smaller plumbing and engineering projects. On the plumbing side, this ranges from sewer and water lines to the installation of septic and stock tanks, fixing water leaks and plumbing services.

On the engineering side, Steele is able to assist with fencing, landscaping and handyman tasks.

“The main thing we’ve been doing is a lot of dirt work and building pads for shops and pole barns, and a lot of water and sewer lines for septic systems,” he says.

Available countywide, Steele welcomes clients to book an appointment at their convenience. He is available from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. but can also be contacted for emergency work if necessary.

With more construction work than usual going on in this region right now, this has turned out to be an ideal time to launch a business in Crook County.

“It’s been very, very busy with lots of calls – it exceeded what we expected, for sure,” Steele nods.

Contact Steele at 605-210-1077 or via email at zlazyyservicesllc.gmail.com.

State Line Station

Dave Cromes’ goal when he purchased State Line Station in February was to ensure it’s as much a local corner store for Beulah residents as it is a convenient stop for travelers on I-90. Items that customers have always expected to find are still available but, in a few short months, he has been able to add multiple new goods to the shelves.

“All the stuff that people might want when they come here to visit, but at the same time I felt that this place never had an eye for me, as a local. It was always just a stop on I-90, geared towards tourism,” Cromes says.

To that end, “We’ve added a full liquor store,” he begins, explaining that the business is now able to offer a wide range of wines and spirits, and has expanded its selection of beers.

“This entire back half of the store used to be devoted to just apparel. We still carry lots of clothing, but we’ve also added a fishing section and a smaller hunting section and those will seasonally expand as is appropriate,” he continues.

The apparel section now includes a new line from local creators threeWYOseven, while the sporting goods range also includes camping, RVing and family fun and games from outdoor games to float tubes perfect for use at Sand Creek. The sporting good range is intentionally positioned to include both items a person might forget to bring with them or run out of along the way and starter kits for someone who’d like, for example, to try fishing for the very first time.

On the grocery end of things, numerous refrigerators have been added, containing items ranging from pizza to frozen vegetables. Dairy, baking supplies and fresh produce are available, as well as essentials such as diapers, products from local vendors including goat milk soaps from Lund Valley Farm and readymade salads and sandwiches.

“We’ve expanded groceries considerably, to the point where we now qualify for and have our Electronic Benefits Transfer certificate for food stamps,” he says.

Main supplier Cashway was understanding of the aim and has assisted in making sure prices are comparable to those in a larger supermarket, says Cromes, because, “We want to be a real option for people.”

Coming soon are new features including an app through which customers can place online orders for in-store pickups, Cromes says. In the longer term, he expects the exterior of the store will also receive a facelift and he hopes to become the first station in the area to offer “DC fast charging,” the quickest current way to recharge an electric vehicle.

Sundance Custom Steel

Since 2015, Jax Pixley has operated his quality metal roofing, siding and accessories building next to his home. With Sundance Custom Steel continuing to flourish, however, the time has come for an expansion.

“It’s a business that’s been out of my house since we started it in May, 2015,” Pixley says. “We manufacture and produce metal roofing and siding, so basically pole barn tin for walls or roofs of metal buildings, and then we bend the trim right there too.”

Though the Sundance Custom Steel offices are staying at the same location, the new building will be a warehouse and manufacturing site.

“We’re going to have two roll-formers, so we’ll be able to roll two different profiles of panels: an ag panel and a PBR panel,” Pixley says.

Having sold the place where the business was previously located, Pixley has already begun the process of constructing the new premises. The concrete slab is already visible in the industrial park.

Though progress is slow due to a particularly busy season – which is no bad thing, Pixley says – he expects to occupy the new building by September 1.

Cruise Planners

Robyn Finch and Michelle Ramos recently returned from a trip to Jamaica to discover more about what the country can offer to travelers. Independent Cruise Planners franchise owners, they had the opportunity to explore ten all-inclusive resorts to familiarize themselves with Jamaica’s tourist hotspots.

Through their business, Ramos and Finch customize vacations including cruises, all-inclusive resorts, land-based travel and guided tours. Visit lynnscruisegetaways.com or contact them at 290-2640 for more information.

Launching a new business or making significant changes to your current business? Contact [email protected] to let us know and be featured in a future business roundup.