Oct. 12, 2022

A locally owned business is getting new life thanks to a Sioux Falls veteran and his family.

Nicholas and Kellee Blumer purchased JD’s House of Trophies earlier this year with the goal to revamp, remodel, modernize and expand.

“My wife and I were looking for a company to start or purchase,” Nicholas Blumer said.

“This business was something I felt like I could jump in and bring into the modern age.”

JD’s House of Trophies dates back to 1972 when Jane and Darwin Sletten — “JD” — bought the local trophy business. It specializes in awards, plaques, trophies, personalized gifts, engraving and promotional products. While they sold the retail store, the Sletten family grew JDS Industries, the world’s largest wholesale supplier in the awards and personalization industry.

The Blumers were connected to the former JD’s House of Trophies owner, Jerry Flanagan, through a shared accountant.

What makes it even more serendipitous, Blumer and Flanagan are both veterans of the Marines.

Since January, the Blumer family has updated the facility, the showroom and production area, doing much of the construction and remodel themselves.

Additionally, they’ve expanded business to online sales and ordering as well as a new sector of personalized promotional products.

“The personalization and customization services we do here are all done locally,” Blumer said. “That’s something I feel is a benefit to the community.”

The Blumers brought in their 16-year-old son to gain business experience, learning how to operate the engraving machinery.

“It’s been a family affair, which we like,” Blumer said.

Speaking of family, the Blumers are big on community.

“Being in the service for 20 years, I’m always looking for ways to improve something, improve a process or give back in a certain way,” he said.

Blumer, who served as a sergeant in the Marines and a master sergeant in the Air National Guard, said he’ proud to take on this venture and continue its veteran-owned and -operated status.

He said there’s a gap he’d like to fill when it comes to veterans and recognition.

“In the service, recognition is oftentimes an afterthought,” he said. “Military members might get recognized or awarded for something years later.”

He looks forward to tapping into the local veteran community and growing award recognition, whether it’s for retirement, years of service, shadow boxes or flag cases and more.

Right now, JD’s House of Trophies has two longtime, full-time staff members managing sales and production. As business grows, he looks forward to expanding the team with part-time employees during busy seasons.

The store showroom and production facility are at 601 N. Kiwanis Ave. and manage sales for both JD’s House of Trophies and JD’s House of Trophies Promos as well.

JD’s House of Trophies will host an open house in celebration of its grand reopening from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday.