March 18, 2024

Smith’s Quality Rental celebrating 60 years

At 83 years old, some might think Gary Smith, owner of Smith’s Quality Rental, might take a day or two off. But after 60 years in business, if you stop in the building at 2026 First Ave. E., he will be ready to get you started on your latest project.

Smith’s Quality Rental is celebrating its 60th anniversary with an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday. The event will be highlighted by a chainsaw wood carver demonstrating his craft along with a ribbon cutting ceremony by the Newton Chamber of Commerce. Food and drinks with also be provided. Most importantly, Smith will be on hand to talk about his 60 years in the business.

Smith opened his first business, a gas and auto repair station, in 1956. Always looking at ways to provide his customers with something new, Smith opened his current business in 1971. Smith started with a small inventory of lawn equipment but only a decade later had grown the business into what it is today.

By 1981, Smith’s Quality Rental featured a huge inventory of lifts and earth moving equipment to go along with the hand held pieces from when the business started.

“I ran the service station for 34 years and turned it into the rental and have run it ever since,” Smith said.

Smith also ventured into storage unit rentals when he expanded his rental business. Purchasing several rental units throughout Newton, the side business has been an important part of his business success.

“I was the first one in this area to get started in warehouses. I’ve been in it ever since,” Smith said. “I have 300 mini-rentals, and I keep them all full.”

In the many years since opening, Smith said he saw Newton change from a booming industrial town to a hard hit community following the exit of its largest employer. Through that time, he weathered the storm and continued to provide quality service to his customers.

Now, Smith has six employees including two of his daughters to run the still growing business. In 2013, Smith added a lawn mower repair service and in the following two years began selling Echo Hand Held Accessories and Hustler Mowers.

“We changed with the pattern and formed new patterns and did new things and we’re still here. The town is still putting up with me,” Smith said.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at
641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or
jpierson@newtondailynews.com