<I>The Eagle/Cheryl Jessup</I><BR>Bonnie and Robert Watt, with, from right, mechanic Duane Temple; son, Nathan; and Nathan's girlfriend, Katie, took a break from JD Rents and Power Equipment Company's grand-opening celebration last weekend.

JOHN DAY – Under a roof that’s nearly double the size of the old one, JD Rents and Power Equipment Company has plenty of room to showcase all the rental equipment, products and services it offers to customers.

Owners Robert and Bonnie Watt bought JD Rents in 2005 from Jim Black, after working with him in the business since 1999. The business was on Main Street, but moved west to its new and larger building at 727 West Main Street over the Memorial Day weekend. The couple celebrated with a grand opening last week.

Robert, who had a background in aviation mechanics, and Bonnie, who is a nurse at Blue Mountain Hospital, have lived in Grant County since 1992.

Sons Nathan, 20, and Jacob, 15, also are involved in the family’s business. Nathan is a “gold-level technician,” a service rating given out by Stihl, and only one of about 200 in his age group in the United States to receive that recognition.

With the move, the business went from 3,400 to 7,200 square feet of operating space. According to Bonnie, although the spacious new building itself came from out of the area, about 80 percent of the labor and materials that went into erecting the structure came from local sources.

Besides having a bigger showroom and retail sales area, the business also can offer more online services, which helps not only the customers but the maintenance technicians. Additional computer upgrades are in the works to make the ordering and other services run even more smoothly.

Bonnie said she’s always on the lookout for “seed ideas” – any needs and requests the customers have. She watches for possible trends in terms of requests, and then does research on new products or services that they can provide to meet those needs.

JD Rents continues to offer the same equipment brands as before – such as Stihl, Husqvarna, Honda and Yamaha – and is ready to meet customers’ agricultural, ranching or home needs. The company services, rents and sells small engines, generators, pumps and most other equipment.

A variety of safety supplies and work clothes are also in stock from companies such as Hoffman Boots, Muck Boots, Sherpa outdoor gear and Prison Blues, a line of durable workwear made by inmates through a restitution program of the Oregon Department of Corrections.

The company is located 727 W. Main Street in John Day, just west of NAPA Auto Parts and can be reached at 575-1156.

The hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays.