Godfrey’s ‘Door Keeper’ Receives November Small Business Award

GODFREY – The RiverBend Growth Association has selected Dan’s Garage Door Service as its November 2023 Small Business of the Month award recipient.

Located at 5501 Godfrey Road in Godfrey, Dan’s Garage Door Service is owned by Danny Rowe. As an established family-owned and operated business with over 47 years of experience, Rowe started the business working out of his home garage in East Alton back in 1977. Referring to himself as “The Door Keeper,” Rowe would hang garage doors during the day and work midnights as a full-time assembly line worker at Ford Motor Company in Hazelwood, Mo., until retiring in 2006.

In spring 2013, Rowe “took the plunge” and moved his business out of his home garage, opening his first storefront and showroom in Godfrey, Ill. Dan’s Garage Door Service continues to share its expertise with customers by providing garage and entry doors, along with garage door openers, to homeowners and contractors throughout the greater Riverbend region.

“We have a huge showroom, with garage doors, automatic garage door openers, flags and poles on display,” says General Operations Manager Tina Rowe, who is also the founder’s daughter. “We also have a parts store for those do-it-yourself projects.”

They also provide service and repair that includes annual tune-ups, garage door spring repairs and broken hardware replacement. Rowe further notes, “We have experienced phenomenal growth in the past years because of our dedication to customer service and a reputation for providing quality products at affordable prices.”

Danny Rowe and his family continue to work the business full-time, with seven employees currently on staff. The showroom is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturdays by appointment only. The company is bonded and insured, EPA-certified, and fully accredited by the Better Business Bureau.

Product line offerings have been at the core of the changes Dan’s Garage Door Service has experienced over its nearly 50 years. In 2020, Dan’s Garage Door Service acquired Alton Fence and Door, which had been first established in 1976 under its original owners Roy and Thelma Ferguson.

In 2009, the Fergusons retired and sold their family-owned and operated business to local resident and business owner Ron Garner of Garner’s Tree Service. In January 2020, Garner sold the fence and door business to Rowe. Subsequently, Rowe sold the fencing business to Alton’s Levi and Hayden Shaw, who now operate the business as Alton Fence and Gate.

More recently, changes in the workforce dynamics have been at the core of the company’s challenges, and opportunity. “We have been challenged over the years in finding employees with a good work ethic, and who take pride in their work,” notes Rowe. “We currently have positions open for a service technician and installer.”

Rowe points out that Dan’s Garage Door Service is founded on Christian principles, adding. “Our faith is a driving force in our mission to treat everyone with integrity and respect. We strive to maintain a ‘good name’ in the community, offering sales and service that is backed by honesty and quality workmanship. There are other companies out there, and even big box stores that offer the same products and services. We stand out because our family treats you like family.”

“We are glad to be a part of the RBGA,” she says. “And we thank the organization for all it does for small businesses in the community.”

For more information about Dan’s Garage Door Service, visit online at www.door-keeper.com or call (618) 467-0050.

The RiverBend Growth Association is the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development organization for the 11 communities known as the Riverbend. For more information about the Growth Association, visit www.growthassociation.com or call (618) 467-2280.

RBGA’s Small Business of the Month Committee recognizes a different member business each month for its outstanding efforts and leadership in the community. Committee members include Brenda Eardley, Vickie Hopkins, Adrianna Lock, Amy Roady, Martha Schultz, and Amy Smith.

To learn more about membership in the RiverBend Growth Association and the Small Business of the Month recognition, visit the RBGA website or call their Godfrey office.