The Lester Story
The Lester Story goes way back to 1921, as that is when the family moved to this property, which later became the site of Lester's Garage Doors office and warehouse.
Part I, The Heitzman Family
"My grandparents, Frank and Veronica Heitzman, along with Frank’s grandmother, Katherine Koza Heitzman, moved from New York to this property in Southeast Gainesville in 1921 to raise their growing family. While studying animal husbandry at the University of Florida , Frank Heitzman operated the Heitzman Poultry Farm from this location in the 1920’s and 30’s. The building in which our Lester’s Garage Doors office is located was, in those days, a chicken coop! There were about 6 chicken coops on the property. Heitzman Poultry Farm supplied Gainesville families with eggs and chickens.
~ Janet Lester Hoeft, Co-Owner of Lester's Garage Doors
Veronica Heitzman (Richard Lester and Janet Lester Hoeft's grandmother) with the chickens
The original house on the property was torn down in about 1940 and the current house was built at that time, by Frank Heitzman and his sons. During this time, the family lived in one of the chicken coops – the one that is now the Lester’s Garage Doors office. The magnolia tree was already a huge tree, even then. At one time, there was even a gymnasium on this property, from which Frank Heitzman gave boxing lessons.
Frankie Heitzman Lester (Wife of founder, Don Lester) as a baby in front of chicken coop (The chicken coop has been converted to office space for Lester's Garage Doors office)
Later, the same chicken coop was used by Frank Heitzman as his sign painting shop, “Heitzman Signs”, where he painted many of the old signs for businesses in downtown Gainesville. He did a lot of the gold-leafing on windows at places such as the old Post Office, which is now known as the Hippodrome Theatre, and law offices and other local businesses. If you were to pull up the carpet in our office, you would find my grandpa's paint splatters all over the old wooden floor.
Part II, The Banker & The Builder
When Frank Heitzman became ill, his youngest daughter, Frances Heitzman Lester and her husband Donald Lester and six children moved to Gainesville to take care of him. Don Lester was at a low point, as they had recently lost their showplace restaurant, "The Volcano" in Winter Haven, FL and had to start over, with two kids in college, one in high school and three in Catholic school. It was a tough time, but after returning to his faith, Don Lester received a helping hand. At the request of the Gainesville Builders, with the help of God and some dear friends, Robert Waters, and Clarence Ayers, Don was offered the chance to start up the first garage door business in Gainesville. This was the beginning of Lester's Garage Doors.
In the early days, Don and two of his growing sons, Steve and Richard Lester installed the garage doors out of the family station wagon, after school and on weekends. A dear friend, Harry Broome, who was retired, volunteered to answer the phone and work in the office. The Lester family moved into the old Heitzman family homestead and operated Lester's Garage Doors from the old chicken coop on the same property. They bought two trucks, inventory. remodeled, and added the warehouse space. For the first ten or so years, they also sold Hotpoint appliances. The business grew rapidly, and the phones kept ringing with orders.Each of Don's six children worked for Lester's Garage Doors at various times.
The original trucks
Part III, The Legacy
In 1985, Lester's Garage Doors added a location in Ocala, and began building and installing ornamental iron gates. A second warehouse was added later to build the ornamental iron gates. (Now known as Gates Elegante', owned and run by Richard Lester.) The phones continued to ring.
In 1980, Eddie Hoeft was hired as a garage door installer and service technician. He and Don's youngest daughter, Janet were married in 1988. When Don retired, he left the operation of Lester's Garage Doors and Gates Elegante' in the capable hands of Richard Lester, Eddie Hoeft, and Janet Hoeft.
The Magnigicent Magnolia
Another unique feature of the property was the magnificent Magnolia. With limbs that stretched wide like an oak, this centuries-old magnolia was a notable sight. Sadly, due to age, the magnolia had to be removed in 2015. {Francis Heitzman Lester in her youth, magnolia in the background}
CENTER: Frankie Heitzman Lester in her youth, with the magnolia in the background
BOTTOM LEFT / TOP RIGHT: Magnolia blossoms
TOP LEFT / BOTTOM RIGHT: Wide views of Magnificent Magnolia
Print 