Building the Valley: Business booms for Laurel Awning Co. at former Lee's Lanes in Parks Township

At almost 110 years old, the Laurel Awning Co. in Parks Township continues to expand.

The family-owned business, last located in Oklahoma Borough, bought the old Lee’s Lanes in 2018 when it went up for sheriff’s sale for $275,000.

The awning company consolidated operations from three buildings to the Parks Township site.

“The move made every aspect of our business more efficient,” said Greg Schmieler, company president.

The old shiny wooden bowling alleys have been replaced with awning production areas, such as the fabric shop with more than 20 industrial sewing machines and fabric cutting machines.

The supporting structure of the awnings is customized on-site with a welding shop and an aluminum awning production area.

Although the bowling lanes are gone, the awning production facility adds to the township’s mix of businesses.

“We are always happy to have businesses move into the township, and (we) appreciate the ones that we have,” said Parks Township Supervisor Mary Ralston.

The business has been booming, according to Schmieler.

“Right now, everything is popular,” he said.

Local and regional demand continues to grow for both fabric and aluminum awnings.

“We’ve been fortunate through the covid-19 pandemic. We kept our employees; no one lost their job or quit,” Schmieler said.

In the custom awning business, jobs are localized and the work can’t be outsourced to other countries easily.

The company employs about 30 people, including some workers who have been there for years.

Schmieler credits Laurel Awning’s success to teamwork.

“From sales, the office and management to fabrication, installation and service — we all work together,” he said.