Oak Grove Rental in Oak Grove, MO had an average year that didn’t quite meet expectations in 2018, according to Store General Manager Willy Hay. The reason? Bridge construction on nearby I-70 slowed traffic flow and Mother Nature didn’t help either. A hot, dry summer also hurt Hustler mower sales and repairs.
“The bridge has been under construction but open all summer, except for being shut down a couple Saturdays, our busiest days. Traffic flows, although going is rather difficult especially for those towing a trailer,” said Hay, who has been with the store since it opened 18 years ago. “No doubt, we will be happy when construction is completed.”
Located east of Kansas City and 28 miles from the state line, Oak Grove Rental divides its equipment rental sales nearly equally between smaller contractors and homeowners. “We have all types of lifts and earth moving equipment in our inventory, but we generally cater to customers who can haul equipment away with their three-quarter ton pickups,” Hay noted. “Even though we have a few larger national stores nearby, they’re not really competitors, since they target the larger contractors and industrial accounts.”
Hustler mower sales, he added, is something the store brought on 13 years ago. “We had the facility and the mechanics and, at the time, short of area big box stores, there was no place for people to purchase lawn equipment and get it repaired. The move brought in extra revenue and increased floor traffic.”
He continued, “The area housing construction market is strong and looks good going forward. With a little help from Mother Nature and a renovated bridge, we’re anticipating an even better year in 2019. Not to say there won’t be obstacles, there will, not the least of which is rising equipment costs due in part to trade policies. In fact, vendors are already raising their prices. Maybe this year, something will be worked out to keep prices in line.”
In addition to its extensive equipment inventory, the store also rents party supplies and equipment.
