Thus, Condee Cooling was born in 1969. According to Donald "Erik" Condee; the third generation with Condee Cooling, "Deltona was building homes and condominiums at that time. However, their unionized service department was not available to provide 24 hour mechanical service. Condee Cooling and Electric's success was built upon providing quality services whenever needed, which included evenings, weekends, and holidays. This same service continues today."
Don Condee, II the second generation with Condee Cooling, was still in college when Senior made the move to Marco Island. Don ran the company in Illinois until 1979. "My dad called one day and said he needed my help on Marco. So, I made the move with my wife Donna and infant son Erik."
Condee Cooling and Electric's first office was located adjacent to the old 7 Eleven (currently Kretch's Restaurant) on Bald Eagle Drive. In 1971, the business was moved to their new building on Marco Lake Drive. In 1979, the business, which included 12 employees, was again moved to their new, larger warehouse and office space on Front Street while retaining the Marco Lake Drive property for warehouse needs. "We'd been in those offices since 1979," said Michelle Reynolds, a Condee employee for 21 years. "You couldn't back your chair up without hitting the person sitting behind you. We outgrew that space 15 years ago. So, this current move is long overdue."
Condee Cooling and Electric recently renovated new office space, something that had been in the design and planning stages since 2003. "Originally, we had plans approved in 2004. Every time we got close, we realized we had either already outgrown the plans or they didn't include room for future expansion. We redesigned at least half a dozen times to accommodate our growing business which currently includes over 50 employees," commented Erik.
In 2009, they purchased and began renovating the building where the new of-fice complex sits. (This site was formerly 23 Front Street restaurant, Alan's Hideaway, and most recently Scooter Town Bike Rentals.) The new building will officially open on Thursday, January 12th with a ribbon cutting at 6:00 PM.
The renovated building has offices downstairs which includes customer service, sales and parts. The offices are independently climate controlled with an advanced digital security system and programmed lighting systems that track movement. The building also includes three small employee apartments and training facilities upstairs. "Instead of holding training classes in the warehouse, we now have a space conducive to learning with an updated projection system," Erik explains.
The address will remain 25 Front Street (the buildings have been renumbered). The old office will be converted into ware-house space. According to Erik, "The goal is the same as it was 43 years ago-we're here to serve you."
Condee Cooling and Electric has touched many lives over the years, growing from one to 50 employees. The family working in the business extends from both Don Sr and wife Mary Lou to employing son Don II, grandson Erik, daughter Char-lotte and her husband Harry, son Brett Reynolds, daughter in-law Michele and her daughter Mary Beth. Family as well as many of the employees, have been with the company 15, 20, 30 years or more. The longevity of employment is an indication of the impact they have had on the lives of their employees, their families, and community in general.
