Superior Rental Center to open this spring

Jerry Kortesmaki believes that, with the right tools and knowledge, people can successfully tackle home projects. Whether you need to dry out your basement, sand a floor or tile a bathroom, London Road Rental Center has the gear you need.
“You don’t have to be a carpenter to do these things,” Kortesmaki said. “We’ll walk you through the job. That’s part of what we do.”
That combination of know-how and tools is making the move to Superior. Superior Rental Center, a division of the London Road business, is slated to open its doors by May. Located in the former Tri-State Industrial Supply building at 1119 Ogden Ave., the center will be fully equipped for homeowner and contractor projects; it also offers boxes and open and closed trailers.
In addition, the shop sells a variety of wood pellet grills, dog food and environmentally friendly paint remover. Party and event items still will be handled at the Party Express store in Duluth. The new location is expected to grow steadily as demand rises.
“By doing it right, starting small and growing the business, we will have a business that will last and sustain,” Kortesmaki said.
Only 10 minutes of drive time separate the center at 1710 London Road with the Ogden Avenue store. While the business has been serving Superior customers all along, the expansion is one customers asked for.
“There are still people who like to do business in Superior,” Kortesmaki said.
The shuttering of Lake Superior Rental left a vacuum for a locally owned rental company, he said, and Superior Rental Center aims to fill that.
Along with the store, part of the building will be used as a warehouse for party supplies. Space in Superior was a better value per square foot than in Duluth, Kortesmaki said, and the local business development organizations were very helpful and welcoming. The building has a rich history, dating back to 1894. And it’s in excellent shape, Kortesmaki said.
The new store will employ about five people. Kortesmaki has been working in the rental industry since 1981. He opened London Road Rental 12 years ago, followed by London Road Party Express. Information on the business, as well as pricing, can be found online at londonroadrental.com.
Superior Rental Center is hosting a booth at this weekend’s Douglas County Fish and Game League Sports Show, which takes place
5-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Wessman Arena. Stop by to view a ride-on brush mower, check out wood pellet grills and see Taste of the Wild dog food.