A new business is operating in Houston: Whiddon’s Air and Electrical LLC.
It’s located on First Street (just off of U.S. 63) in the space occupied for about 60 years by Rust Utility. Owners Perry and Vicky Whiddon point out that their business – which officially opened May 1 – isn’t a “hardware store,” but offers a variety of services and products related to heating and cooling, electrical and plumbing.
Whiddon’s does both residential and commercial work, with Rheem being the primary product line (including heating and cooling systems, water heaters and more). Financing is available to qualified applicants.
“We can do all sorts of things,” Vicky said, “and we can order anything and have it here the next day or in a couple of days.”
The Whiddons are natives of Louisiana who moved to the Colorado high country in 2005 to escape the heat. After a few years there, they decided to move again to find a more temperate climate, and landed in Wasola in Ozark County.
“We got tired of the frozen world and wanted something in between,” Vicky said.
Perry Whiddon began working in the air and electrical field right out of high school, and began operating his own business while still in Louisiana. Vicky said their firm in Wasola is thriving, and buying the old Rust building (along with the adjacent building that houses a salon and a house next to that) came as a bit of a surprise.
“It was a God thing,” she said. “We weren’t looking for another business and we were plenty busy and could hardly keep up. But doors were opened for us to do this and here we are.”
The Houston project got rolling through a connection with a Springfield-based equipment supplier who called to ask if the Whiddons might be interested when the Rust space became available.
“We had many meetings to see how it might work,” Vicky said. “We didn’t come here to step on any toes, but the opportunity was there and we’re taking it one day at a time.”
So far, things are going well in Houston, Vicky said.
“When you’re trying to take over a business that has been here for 60 years, it’s a little intimidating and overwhelming,” she said. “It has taken us a little longer than we thought it would, but it’s starting to come together and we should be in full swing by next summer.”
The phone number at Whiddon’s Air and Electrical is 417-967-2422. More information about the company can be found online on Facebook or at www.whiddonsairandelectrical.com.
A slogan posted on Whiddon’s website says, “an extraordinary business with extraordinary employees servicing extraordinary customers!”
“Our goal is to meet the needs of the people, and we’re hoping they’ll give us the chance,” Vicky said. “One thing about Missouri that’s true to its word is it’s the Show Me State. We like that because whether you do something well or not, people will spread the word.
“But we’re excited to be a part of this community, and if anyone has any questions, or you just want to come and meet us and have a cup of coffee with us, we would appreciate that.”