#ThrowbackThursday – Mid-States Utility and Transport Refrigeration of SD move to a new location (2010)

In the early 2000’s business boomed and the Sioux Falls store was quickly outgrowing their location at Westport. Building work began at a new location on Seubert Avenue and in 2010 Mid-States Utility Trailer Sales and Transport Refrigeration of SD relocated. The new building was triple the size of the previous store and included 10 service bays instead of 4, 20-foot aisles for easy forklift maneuvering and a separate parts showroom. Sioux Falls was one of the first Utility dealerships that adopted a new contemporary design for the parts counter, with the sides made from reefer panels and the top from polished trailer wood floor. This same sleek design was later used during the Omaha store’s remodeling in 2017 and in our new Sioux City store, opened last year alongside I-29.

Jim Keizer, the late father of today’s owners Shane Keizer and Stacy Bricker, started the business from the back of his pickup truck in 1976, operating an independent refrigeration repair service. The business came a very long way since then. Jim always wanted a big American flag, to represent the American Dream, a set of ideals where freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, achieved through hard work, in a society with few barriers. A large American flag was erected in front of the store and you can see it in front of the store proudly flying in the wind today, representing these ideals and reminding us of the humble beginnings of the Keizer companies.

To celebrate their new location, the store hosted a Grand Opening in May 2010, attended by hundreds of customers, business partners, vendors, media and representatives from Utility Manufacturing and Carrier Transicold. The Grand Opening was followed by a ribbon Cutting ceremony by the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce.

The Sioux Falls location grew rapidly over the years. In 2002 the branch had only 2 employees, increasing to 16 in 2016. At the time of the relocation, the store already employed 30 staff. Today, our Sioux Falls store is 40 employees strong and keeps growing!

Want to read more about our rich company history? Visit our Company History page!