By SALLY BELL
Staff writer
Dan and Darole Pertz, owners of D&R Glass in Seneca, are retiring after almost 30 years and have found a buyer for their business in an Oil City native who wants to move back home.
The buyer, Jason Schiffer, 46, grew up in Hasson Heights but has lived in Erie for 28 years – as long as the Pertzes have owned D&R Glass.
Schiffer moved to Erie with his family when he was a high school junior. His cousin is Nate Schiffer, who owns Schiffer’s Custom Cabinetry in Seneca.
A Triangle Tech graduate, Schiffer has been working in glass in Erie since 1991. He and his wife, Candace, are the parents of three young children.
“We’re excited about it,” Schiffer said. “A lot of people run down (Seneca and the surrounding area), but there is opportunity if you go and get it.”
The Pertzes have owned and operated D&R Glass for 28 years, but the glass repair shop has been in the family for 34 years.
The Pertzes bought the business from Darole’s brother-in-law, Mike Karns, who left glass work to go into the ministry in South Carolina.
“He trusted us to make it grow,” Darole Pertz said.
For nearly three decades, the Pertzes maintained and expanded the shop with simple and common sense business principles.
“If people complained, address it; if something is broken, fix it, Dan Pertz said. “It’s your name. It’s your reputation.”
“Take care of people the way you would want it taken care of,” Darole Pertz said. “We care about that.”
“It’s just like God dropped these people in our laps,” Darole Pertz said. Schiffer contacted the Pertzes and the two families agreed on a beneficial arrangement.
“We have to acknowledge God’s part in this,” Darole Pertz said. “We are glad that another family will be able to build their legacy, too.”
Schiffer said he plans to maintain the service offerings of D&R Glass and to expand into aluminum door service and storefront installation.
After they retire, the Pertzes are planning a move to the family homestead in Fertigs where Darole’s mother, Jean Davis, 93, has lived for 70 years.
They are looking forward to an active retirement working the farm, refinishing furniture and visiting with grandchildren.
“This business has been good to our family but God has been good to us,” Darole said.
