Mills Inc. to move business to Gilbert Street

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

Same service, different location.  

Mills Inc., a reliable plumbing and HVAC business in Charles City for well over 50 years, is moving.

Owner Kelvin Keifer hopes his customers won’t mind putting in a little more drive time to come out and see him in his new spot on the outskirts of Charles City.

Keifer’s business, which he purchased from longtime owner Gary Mills in November 2014, is relocating from its current location along North Main to near the city limits on Gilbert Street.

“I’ve got a lot of loyal customers and want to maintain that loyalty. Hopefully they will follow us to the new location,” said Keifer.

Mills Inc. has been in operation in Charles City since 1963 and provides residential and commercial service including air conditioning, septic tank service and geothermal work.

“I haven’t changed our service offering much, other than we’ve done some internal things to update our bookkeeping and our inventory management,” said Keifer.

Keifer purchased the property at 1906 Gilbert St. from New Life Community Church on June 1 and will move his business into the 10,000-square-foot building that was previously used by New Life’s congregation.

Keifer has a paved parking space already poured near the entrance of the building for his patrons to use. The extra room at the new new location will provide warehouse space as well as an area for Mills’ 10 vehicles and three trailers to park.

Keifer said that while 90 percent of his business is called in over the phone, customers need not worry if they like paying their bills in person.

“They’re going to have to go out there to see us in person,” said Keifer. “There’s ample space to pull up and run in and pay your bill.”

Keifer’s staff consists of 12 employees with five full-time service plumbers and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) technicians. Keifer has worked for Mills Inc. in some form or fashion since 1996.

He said his goal is to be fully operational on Gilbert St. by Dec. 1. Keifer said the only thing he has not accomplished yet in terms of preparing the business to be open is installing phone and Internet service.

“I’ve stayed within the city limits and I’m complying with the city requirements to be able to try to stay close by. Hopefully customers will respect that,” said Keifer.