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Niles fence-maker sticks around
NILES Friday Mar 1 2013 Randy Jaacks stands by the sample fences outside of Bob Jaacks Rustic Wood Fences & Decks, has been in business in his family for over 45 years, selling wooden fences and decks. | Michelle LaVigne~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: May 6, 2013 2:10AM
In second grade, Randy Jaacks starting working with his dad at his small shop where he learned all of the hard work that it took to make fences.
That shop, Bob Jaacks Rustic Wood Fencing and Decks, has been serving customers since 1960 at 9116 Milwaukee Ave. in Niles.
The store features wood fencing made out of high-quality western red cedar, explained Randy Jaacks, who now runs the store.
“We carry nothing but the best,” said Jaacks, who explained that the wood comes from British Columbia.
“We have different styles and we also custom-build,” said Jaacks.
In addition to wood fences, the company also provides vinyl, aluminum and iron fences.
“Our strongpoint is our design and formulating a nice plan for a backyard,” said Jaacks.
Most of the fences the company installs are on residential properties, but they do some commercial work as well.
“We try to provide the best service we possibly can,” said Jaacks.
The company started out in 1960 as a hands-on family business with a few employees and it has grown into a company that has 30 employees.
“We all worked back there and built fences and we grew from there,” said Jaacks.
Since 1980, the company has also been installing decks and they have continued to be very popular among its customers.
“We’re one of the bigger deck guys in the Chicago area,” said Jaacks.
A true family business, his wife Gina and sister Jeri also work at the shop. Randy Jaacks’ father Bob, who started the business, passed away five years ago.
Customer service is one of the qualities that makes the business a success, explained Jaacks.
When customers visit the store’s yard display, employees show the customers many sizes, styles and colors of custom products they offer.
In addition to fences and decks, the company also has western red cedar gazebos in various designs and styles. The company can also build western red cedar screen rooms, which provide an outdoor living space, while providing protection from bugs or the weather.
The unique store also provides wooden garden arbors that enhance the landscaping of a backyard and cedar sheds that are very durable.
Jaacks said some jobs take one day, while others may take a few days. He said that their employees are very knowledgeable and helpful in order to meet the needs of their customers.
