LE MARS, Iowa | Getting a camper in and out of Fedders Marine & RV became a whole lot easier last year.
The longtime Le Mars, Iowa, dealership moved to a 13-acre site just north of town, at U.S. Highway 75 and Iowa Highway 60.Â
The business was essentially landlocked at its former two-acre site along Business Highway 75. Outside parking there was limited and the doors to the old service bays were too short to accommodate many of the modern campers, which top out at a height of just over 13 feet.
"Now we can pull all the big fifth wheels and motor homes into" the new service facility, sales manager Mike Salter said.
"You don't have to worry about trees and power lines and people on the street," he added. "It's just a lot more user-friendly."
Located at the junction of two busy highways, the new out-of-town site provides greater visibility and easier customer access. The full-service dealership attracts from a wide range in Siouxland, but across the country.
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The new 20,000-square-foot structure features a 60-by-100 showroom, which last month displayed eight campers and a boat. The added storage space allows the dealership to carry a larger variety of parts and accessories, Salter said.
Another new feature is a drive-thru wash bay. There is enough outdoor space to display space for more than 100 new and used fifth wheels, travel trailers and toy haulers.
The new site, which opened about three months ago, also will have a small campground with electric and water hookups. After picking up new campers, customers are invited to stay a few days to test out them out.
"If they live out of town, they can make sure everything is OK before they leave our property," Salter said.
The dealership was founded in 1965 by Marv Fedders. His son, Matt, today owns and operates the family business.
Fedders Marine & RV was one of several Le Mars companies that recently constructed new structures or major additions last year.
BoDean's Baking Group, which makes cones and wafers for ice cream novelties, moved forward with another expansion of its sprawling complex on the south end of the Plymouth County seat.
In January, the Iowa Economic Development Authority Board awarded the company tax benefits to help finance an additional production line. The $7.5 million project is expected to create 11 new jobs.
BoDean's, which started in Le Mars in 2006, annually produces more than 500 million cones, 250 million sleeves and 1.5 billion wafers each year.
Le Mars Dental Center last year constructed a new clinic at 35 Plymouth Street NE., along Business Highway 75 on the south end of town. The clinic, which opened last spring, consolidated the clinic's two previous locations in Le Mars and Remsen, Iowa.
Existing businesses that completed additions also included American Bank, LeMars Agri-Center, Bomgaars and Casey’s General Store.Â
In the past year, according to the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce, these new businesses opened: Le Klazzy Klozet, B&B Flea Market, Bliss His and Hers, Great Lakes Countertops and Kitchens, Twice is Nice, Frugal Fusion, FryDaZe and LeMars Nails.
