Du Quoin shop a cut above: Du Quoin Small Tractor & Outdoor Power Equipment, LLC

As Du Quoin Small Tractor & Outdoor Power Equipment, LLC's new owner Joel Vancil borrows from the great heritage of B & J Outdoor Power Equipment Co. he is adding both new lines of equipment while paying attention to the service needs of the community.

Joel, the 21-year-old son of Joey and Stacey Vancil, purchased the business in early January and has already signed contracts with Snapper, Inc. to become a Snapper Pro commercial mower dealership as well as a Branson compact diesel tractor dealership.

His agreement with Stihl power equipment is already in place and mechanics Randy Williams and Skyler Schwarz are already certified. They are joined by Paul Lilly as parts manager and Andrew Smith as a member of the parts department. Former owner and partner Jess Coffel is retiring completely, but will be a phone call away to answer questions. Former owner and partner Bill Hamburger will work for the shop parttime.

The entire inventory of parts is now computerized. "It will allow us to provide point of sale service," he said.

Joel is a graduate of the Du Quoin High School, attended John A. Logan College and heads the DHS FFA Alumni Association. He pastors at Sunfield Baptist Church and has grown that congregation from "nine when I got there" to between 70 and 80 every week. At least one new family is coming or joining each week. "I havenÕt missed a Sunday," he said.

A semi-tractor trailer full of new Snapper homeowner and commercial mowing and garden equipment will arrive next week.

As soon as service technicians complete training in Rome, Ga. in the coming days the first new Branson compact diesel tractors will be unloaded onto the parking lot.

Joel said Du Quoin Small Tractor and Power Equipment Co. "will be color blind," meaning the service department is capable of working on all lines of outdoor power equipment "green orange, red--any color."

In fact, the owner of a Kubota (orange) compact diesel was to bring his tractor into the shop on Monday for servicing/

"We will also offer both in-shop and on-site service of most equipment," he said. "Because we are so appreciative of our customers we will offer free pickup and delivery in February," Joel said. Schedule your service now. Spring is just around the corner.

An open house is planned for March as soon as th first Branson compact diesel tractors arrive.

Store hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. The telephone number is 542-2515.

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