New business in town

Moorcroft Equipment Rental (MER) has opened at 122 South Big Horn Avenue. This business shares space with sister company Clearwater X-Spurts for plumbing needs.

MER offers many tools from staple guns, compressors and bottle jacks to mini excavators, skid steers, flat beds and a complete concrete laying and finishing tool set on a trailer for easy transport.

Owner Clay Massie reported that the inventory continues to grow based on the needs of the clientele, saying, "We're always taking suggestions so we can continue to upgrade what's available."

Massie noted that MER itself came from just such a suggestion they had heard from many in town before beginning the venture, "We asked around and the general consensus was that, probably, an equipment rental store was most needed for the community."

The business owner has updated and revamped the building formerly housing the local chapter of the VFW to the classic colors and hardwood that upgrades the look of the street in fine fashion. This facelift was intended, said Massie, "It [the building] had been sitting vacant for approximately two years, as I understand... We tried to make it nice looking, we put a little bit of extra money and time into curb appeal."

The store is open to both contractors and the general public, however, Massie noted, "The majority of our business so far has been the general public. We have a good relationship with many of the surrounding contractors through our plumbing business and we can bring in specialized items through that."

For new DIYers or anyone who just needs to take care of that one little project, all of the tools rented through MER have instructions with them and, if asked, associate Jeana Sasse assured that a demonstration or talk through of how it works can be conducted.

The store is open from 8 a.m.to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and if there is an emergency, Massie or one of his associates will happily open the doors for that tool needed.

Inventory can be viewed at https://moorcroft-equipment-rental-llc.pointofrentalcloud.com/portal and the regular contact number, which is 307-391-9001 will automatically forward to an on call number.

"We're excited about it," exclaimed Massie. "We think it's going to be a great addition to Moorcroft and hope that more businesses follow suit [and] help the older buildings in town."