Waymire celebrates a milestone anniversary this year.
Randy Waymire celebrated his 40th year in business at the Great Darke County Fair.
Yes, he opened his business selling utility barns that he had made in 1981.
Before that, he had worked one year at D&J Tool and Die in Winchester, Ind., then at Sheller-Globe, Hardy’s, in Union City. Ind., for 14 years, seven of which he spent being laid off, so he decided to go into his own business, selling utility barns he made in the beginning for 25 years. Now, they’re made by the Amish.
As time went on, he started making cornhole games and he added furniture 20 years ago. He featured
the cornhole games for 10 years and said he sold a thousand sets a year for a long time but no longer does that.
He added furniture to his offerings 20 years ago. This year, he featured Poly Lawn Furniture of which he has two suppliers.
Waymire, who was mowing lawns and cemeteries while in high school, has been bringing his products to the Darke County Fair most of those years. In the beginning, he would spend half a day at the fair and then go to his second-shift job.
“I sold 17 that first year,” he said. “Now, I’m selling 125.”
The 1975 graduate of Mississinawa Valley High School said at one time, he had 15 people working for him. Now, he only has two secretaries, Casey Lentz, who has been with him 18 years, and Joann Trick, 16 years.
His buildings have gone near and far. He sold a gazebo in New York for Central Park and another structure went to West Virginia. He remembers taking a ferry across Put-in Bay one time to build one of his structures there.
“I took fried chicken and the raccoons ate it all,” he laughed.
He said he was inspired to go into business for himself from his grandfather, James Waymire.
The son of Maxine Waymire of Greenville and the late A.J. Waymire, Randy started his business in Rossburg, then subsequently moved to Greenville and Arcaum, but always came back to Rossburg where he is currently set up.
The father of four and grandfather to 14, he stays at the county fair all week and, at 10:30 p.m., goes to his camper.
“You have to spend a lot of long hours and hard work if you want to be successful,” he said.
Has it been worth it?
“I think so,” he replied.
The Darke County Fair isn’t the only place he takes his products.
“I used to do 50 shows a year and now I go to such places as the Indianapolis Gift and Hobby Show and the Indianapolis Farm and Patio Show,” he said.
