BM_FallStrategies2020-FINAL

CUSTOMER PROFILE

A Chance for a New Start South Dakota Business Thrives After Devastating Tornado

After a tornado destroyed Burke Building Center in Burke, South Dakota, Vern (left) and Jason Witt (right) and the rest of the family came together to build their business back up. The new location was remodeled and stocked with help from the team at Blish-Mize. I n the small town of Burke, South Dakota, locals don’t stress

Jason graduated from South Dakota State University in 2003 and returned to help his parents run Burke Building Center. About 8 miles away, the Gregory location is run by Jason’s brother, Bryan. It services more DIYers, while Burke has the design showroom and is more contractor focused. However, both locations can serve any customer and get them what they need. Between the two stores, there are 11 employees. “We’re very close with our staff,” Jason says. “When you live in a small town, you kind of know everybody. We’re lucky to have the team we do, which was especially true in the aftermath of the tornado.” Jason says there was no warning the night of the tornado. After the storm hit and he knew his family was OK, he took off to help with his fellow firefighters.

“I got the call from the fire department and ran from my house to the station about a block away,” Witt says. “The power was out all over town, and we took to the roads, which were covered in trees and debris. As we went to go help someone trapped in their garage, we passed Burke Building Center. It was flat on the ground.” In the months to follow, Jason worked with his family, his employees, his support system at Blish-Mize and the entire Burke community to pick up the pieces. Weathering the Storm Burke Building Center has been serving its community since 1904. Jason’s parents, Vern and Carol Witt, bought the business in 1993. The family bought a second location, Gregory Building Center in Gregory, South Dakota, in 2000.

While no lives were lost, the damage to several homes and businesses was great, especially for Jason Witt, co-owner and manager of Burke Building Center. Witt also serves as a volunteer firefighter, and he was one of the first firefighters on the scene after the tornado struck. an EF1 tornado hit on Aug. 6, 2019, nobody was prepared. about tornadoes striking the community. So when

28 Fall 2020 • Hardlines Strategies