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Wallkill Valley Times , Wednesday , July 18 , 2018

IN THIS ISSUE

PUBLIC AGENDA

WEDNESDAY , JULY 18 Village of Walden Planning Board , 7:30 p . m . Village Hall , 1 Municipal Square .

THURSDAY , JULY 19 Montgomery Town Board Audit / Work Session , 6 p . m . Town Government Center , 110 Bracken Road , Montgomery . Crawford Town Board , 7 p . m . Town Hall , 121 Route 302 , Pine Bush . Shawangunk Town Board , 7 p . m . Town Hall , 14 Central Ave ., Wallkill

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OFFICE : 300 Stony Brook Court Newburgh , NY 12550

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The Wallkill Valley Times , ( USPS 699-490 ) is a weekly newspaper published every Wednesday at Newburgh , N . Y . 12550 , with offices at 300 Stony Brook Court , Newburgh , N . Y . Single copy : $ 1 at newsstand . By mail in Orange , Ulster or Sullivan Counties : $ 40 annually , $ 44 out of county . Periodicals permit at Newburgh , N . Y . POSTMASTER : Send address changes to Wallkill Valley Times , 300 Stony Brook Court , Newburgh , N . Y . 12550

By LAURA FITZGERALD lfitz @ tcnewspapers . com

Joe ’ s Small Engine of Pine Bush will soon celebrate 30 years of being in business , offering quality customer service for landscaping equipment .

Owner Joe Dunn stands behind a tall desk in jeans and a blue t-shirt . Lawn mowers , leaf blowers , saws and more landscaping equipment pack the floor and walls of the small shop . Dunn greets every customer that walks in the door , asking some about their specific piece of equipment . He asks how their day is and greets some customers by name .

Dunn has been working with engines for most of his life . His father was a mechanic , and as a kid he tinkered with anything he could get his hands on . Dunn worked on bicycles in elementary school . He graduated to go-karts and mini bikes in middle school , and eventually fixed old mowers for extra money in high school .

In 1987 , Dunn was sweeping the Marl Bros Bus Company after school when his friend asked if he wanted to work for a hardware store servicing power equipment , but they didn ’ t need another employee . He registered his business soon after he turned 18 .

He started out in a 12 by 12 ft shed in his mom ’ s backyard , then moved to an official building a few years later . Now , his business is in a building in front of Agway in Pine Bush .

“ My heart is in my business because it ’ s something I ’ ve spent 30 years of my life doing ,” Dunn said . “ Tinkering with stuff has been my entire life .”

Anita Dunn , Joe ’ s wife and bookkeeper , said their store focuses on quality service to compete with large box stores in Newburgh . While Joe ’ s can ’ t compete with the marketing capacity or offer some of the rewards programs of larger stores , Dunn will repair broken equipment , a service the other stores don ’ t offer .

And , Dunn has intimate knowledge of each piece of equipment he sells , recommending equipment based on each customer ’ s specific needs . Anita said employees might not have that same expertise at large stores .

“ He tries to help them figure out what they need which is a good way to be a salesman , get the customer what they need , as opposed to pushing something on them just because we want to sell it ,” Anita said .

Customer Morgan Schutz agreed that Dunn offers excellent customer service .

She said Joe has always been good to her and her family with his extensive

Husband and wife Anita Dunn ( left ) and Joe Dunn ( right ) mind the counter of Joe ’ s Small Engines of Pine Bush .

knowledge of his products . Dunn is especially helpful with her mother , who is widowed and must mow her own lawn .

“ We can call and they know who we are ,” Schutz said . “ I know they ’ ve been jam-packed and he knew what tractor I had .”

Bloomingburg resident Ray Kissane said the equipment from Joe ’ s lasts longer than from large stores , and Dunn spent time with Kissane answering his questions .

Happy customers are one of the perks of Dunn ’ s business .

“ You have good customers that make it worth the day ,” Dunn said .

Anita said a new market is opening up with younger homeowners who moved from New York City . Younger residents are more likely to search online for hardware stores near them , so having a presence online allows people to find the store easier . Word of mouth is also a powerful marketing tactic .

Dunn also provides landscaping equipment for other small local businesses , offering quick service if any equipment needs repairs .

“ We try to support other small businesses in that way ,” Anita said .

Owning your own business has its perks , but it might also include long hours . Dunn said he works minimum 80 to 100 hours a week .

“ Being self-employed you ’ re never done working ,” Dunn said .

As a dealer of Husqvarna , Hustler and Toro , Joe ’ s sells lawnmowers , snowblowers , chainsaws , trimmers , tillers , accessories and more . To learn more or search his products , call 845-744- 3720 or visit joessmallengineofpinebush . com .