Tallahassee has changed a lot over the past several years. Watch Building Tallahassee on WTXL ABC 27 Thursday at 6 pm as we look at the new business and development coming to town.
TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- Bill Oliver and Todd Sperry have been friends since high school. Growing up in the local construction industry, they teamed up in 2007 to start OliverSperry Renovation.
"We knew what the market needed," said Oliver, president of the company. "A good quality renovation company that wasn't all about, 'Hey, this big wonderful project.' It was about servicing the customer."
They've worked on over 200 projects -- from housing and healthcare to restaurants and retail properties.
"What's happened is we've actually gotten to the point that it makes dollars and cents to be able to take old properties and make them new," said Sperry, vice president and CFO.
OliverSperry is currently working on several projects:
- The former Tomahawk Grill on 609 West Tennessee Street will become Spear-It Legendary Food & Spirits.
- On 1709 West Tennessee Street, the company is working on a second location for Southern Compass Outfitters.
- OliverSperry is also renovating the Tallahassee Ford Lincoln dealership on 243 North Magnolia Drive.
- The company is working on the new Canopy Roads Brewery coming to the Centre of Tallahassee.
- The former Shoney's on 2833 North Monroe Street is being turned into a Captain D's Seafood Restaurant.
While OliverSperry works with national chains and corporations, one of the company's goals is helping other local businesses.
Gabe Grass owns GrassLands Brewing Company in the city's All Saints District. A first-time entrepreneur, he says he chose OliverSperry to help bring his vision to life, because they've worked on other breweries before.
"We planned this out for a good four years before actually opening our doors," Grass said. "We wanted to find a place that fit with our overall desire to have that type of welcoming environment."
"He knew the look he wanted -- with the steel and the old wood," Oliver said, referring to Grass. "He looked to us and our architect."
Grass says he's thrilled with the work OliverSperry has done for them, adding that it's always great to work with another local business.
"In our effort to pay it forward in terms of knowledge, we suggest other breweries use them as well," Grass said.
While the company has done work in Georgia, Alabama and other parts of Florida, around 95 percent of their projects have been done in Leon County.
"Contributing to the change and look of Tallahassee is exciting," Sperry said. "As far as folks not staying local, probably we'll always -- the majority of our business will be in Leon County."
Going forward, the company is hoping to build on its success over the years -- with repeat customers and more opportunities to help build Tallahassee.
"Great community," Sperry said. "Just the people in Tallahassee, and it's a great time to do business with people here in Tallahassee."
With about 30 projects each year, OliverSperry continues to make a name for itself in the Capital City.
