Batesville business thanks community after 65 years

Family-owned business closing as new chapter begins

(BATESVILLE, Ind.) -- After 65 years, Laker Electric & Plumbing is closing one door while opening another.

Charles Laker founded the Batesville-based company in 1958 to provide plumbing and electrical services to homes and businesses.

When Charles considered retiring, he didn't have to look far to find the next owners of the business.

His three sons, Darrel, Dale and Gary, each joined the company right out of high school and the trio took over operations in 1990.

The brothers expanded the company's offerings by opening their store on State Road 129 in 1993.

Over the years, Gary Laker and his brothers have witnessed drastic changes in the electrical industry, such as the transition to LED lighting, while plumbing has also evolved immensely.

"When I first started working with dad we still did cast iron drain lines and then it went to copper drain lines and water lines," Gary recalled. "Then it transferred from copper to PVC, and the water lines also changed from copper to PEX tubing."

The company adapted to the changes while keeping the same level of customer service as Charles did when he started the company in 1958.

As the year comes to an end, so will Laker Electric & Plumbing.

When the store opened in 1993

Gary and Darrell are retiring and the company has sold their store.

On Tuesday, the family began cleaning out the store while Charles, now 93-years-old, looked on with disbelief.

"He's been here all day and I think he's a little shell-shocked. He hasn't said he doesn't like what's going and hasn't said he likes what's going on. He just stands there and looks at us," Gary laughed.

Before they officially close, the company is showing their appreciation to a community that has supported them the past six decades.

"They've allowed us into their homes and have been incredibly gracious to us," Gary said. "I'm really going to miss the people that stop in the store just to talk, you know, interacting with the people is what I will miss more than anything else."

Gary says he plans to use his upcoming free time to repair some motorcycles he's been collecting over the years.

"And maybe do a little more fishing," he added.

The Laker Electric & Plumbing legacy will continue in a new way, as Dale will open a new business called Laker Plumbing LLC while Gary's son, Brad, will start his venture known as Laker's Village Plumbing Services.