Packwood Locker announces plan to move to Richland

RICHLAND – The owner of Packwood Locker has announced that he plans to move the business to Richland, and put it in a brand new building that will be constructed on Oak Street.

Peyton Greiner, who has owned Packwood Locker for four years, said his business has grown so much that his current building cannot handle all the orders he has coming in.

“I could keep another plant this size completely busy 40 hours a week,” he said. “We’re maxed out on capacity.”

Greiner said he began looking for buildings in neighboring towns where he could move his business to accommodate his plans for expansion. Greiner is a 2012 graduate of Pekin High School and lives in Richland, and he felt strongly about remaining in the Pekin area.

“We checked around at other places, and when we went to Richland, they made it clear that they would do everything they could to not only bring my business to their town, but to make sure it succeeded once it was there,” he said. “Richland is a small town that’s attracting businesses and getting young people to move to town. Most small towns in Iowa are heading the other direction, losing people to the metro areas.”

Greiner said he first looked at moving into a building on Richland’s square, but none of them were big enough. He was put in touch with Korwin Hinshaw, president of Richland Community Club who also owns ag land on Oak Street. Hinshaw said the land has sentimental value to him since it’s been in his family for three generations, but once he heard about Greiner’s desires, he was willing to consider a sale.

“For business expansion in Richland, I said that I would consider selling it,” Hinshaw said. “Nothing has been signed yet, but we’ve come to an agreement for him [Greiner] to purchase it and move his locker here.”

Greiner will be purchasing 4.8 acres of farmland that is just north of Hinshaw’s business, Hinshaw Trailer Sales.

“This is huge for Richland,” Hinshaw said. “Richland has always been a great business town for a town its size. Panama Freight across the street employs 43 people. Our community club is so progressive. It was the catalyst behind getting the dental clinic run by River Hills. We formed an agreement with JCHC to remodel the U.S. Bank building so we could have medical services in Richland. For a town of 500-600 people, you won’t find that anywhere else in the country.”

Greiner said that, after he moves, he wants to expand his business’s retail offerings. He wants to be able to carry some basic groceries such as bread, dairy and perhaps specials on fruit and vegetables. Given the move to a new town, he said he’ll likely change the name to something more neutral that fits the whole community.

“The first thing we’re going to do is reach out to our customers so they know it’s just a short, 8-minute relocation,” he said.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com