Harris Companies Celebrates Completion of Remodeling Project

The Harris Family was joined by local leaders at their Remodeling Open House on Friday, July 30. Seated is Roger Harris. Standing, second row left to right, Stephanie Wierman, President, Atwood Chamber of Commerce, Beth (Harris) Hines, Rick Fiala, Alora Murphy, President, Atwood Economic Development Corp., & Bill Fleming, President, Village of Atwood. Back row, Phillip Fiala, Scott Harris, Sandy (Harris) Fiala, Stan Harris & Alex Harris.

By Doris Elmore
Staff Writer

A long-awaited open house was held by Harris Companies, 510 N. Illinois, Atwood on Friday, July 30, to celebrate the completion of their remodeling project. It is amazing what you can do with a building when several artistic minds get together.

Several customers, community members and friends visited the open house to get a glimpse of what had been done in the remodeling process. They were so surprised at how the company has expanded since the office was purchased from Paul Quick in 1969. The area at that time was 30 ft. wide, center section with rounded roof.

A two-story, 1,440 sq. ft. addition was added to the south end in 1973. The north end two-story addition, with 1,440 sq. ft., was added in 1974.

In 1989 Harris’ purchased a pole shed at FS for 205 W. Magnolia Street. This was 8,008 sq. ft. (54’ x152 x 14’ with three (3) overhead doors).

The Museum, located at 202 W. Locust St., received a variance for building was granted in March, 1997.

The shipping building was added in December; garage building at 509 N. Illinois from Davis’ in February 2001; shipping building at 503 N. Illinois from Davis’, June/July 2003.

The west building (former Heckler building), 215 W. Magnolia, was purchased on March 29, 2005. The south end addition added in April 2011 by LFC 24’ x 39’.

The property west of the high school, (5.09 acres) 300 block of West Magnolia St., was purchased in January 30, 2009.

The new Fab Shop at 228 W. Magnolia Street (1.36 acres) was purchased from the Atwood-Hammond Community School District in January, 2014. The original building was built in 1955 which included office, both bathrooms, assembly area & old ag shop. In 1963 an addition was added that included a boiler room, old industrial arts shop & classroom.

The west addition of the Museum (60’ x 102’) was added in June 2014.

You can see how the Harris Complex has grown over the years. The Harris family praises their amazing co-workers for the success of their business. Thank you to their customers, vendors and community for trusting their loyalty for over 60 years.

The Harris Family and co-workers are enjoying all the new remodeling, it makes for a great working environment.