Lutz roots run deep in the Ierna family and are about to get deeper with the February opening of a new office and warehouse for Ierna’s Heating & Cooling. Eight years after the business moved from the family home to a 1,200-square-foot rented building on US 41 in downtown Lutz, owners Ron and Charlene Ierna are tripling their space with the purchase and complete overhaul and renovation of a landmark building a few blocks south. For more than 20 years, the 4,800 square-foot building was home to Myree Chiropractic Clinic. For many years it also housed a State Farm Insurance agency and before then Barnett Bank. The building’s nostalgic legacy has been preserved by the Ierna’s, who have incorporated the bank’s original vault into their building’s new lay out.

“We are probably the only A/C Company in the country with a bank vault in its office,” laughed Charlene. “But we think it’s important to honor the building’s historical relevance by keeping the vault intact.” After buying the building last summer, the Ierna’s gutted it and began transforming it into offices and parking for their 35 employees and 19 trucks. A warehouse is being added to the back of the building and will house a large

inventory of replacement parts and new air conditioning and heating units. The building includes an oversized conference room with a 72-inch, wall mounted television that will be used for employee training and customer presentations. When employees are not

using this room, it will be available to community groups at no charge. “We’ve taken our time with the renovations because we want them done right,” said Charlene. “We‘re adding many upgrades to make the building as comfortable and functional as possible

for our employees and customers.” Land O’ Lakes contractor Dave Boger has been hired to complete the building’s exterior work, which is the next stage of the renovation. The new exterior will dramatically update the building’s look and improve Lutz’s

downtown streetscape. “We’ve needed a larger office for a long time,” said Charlene, “but our goal was always to stay in Lutz. This is our home and we waited to move until the right opportunity came along.” Keeping their business in Lutz also means keeping their business close to home. The couple has lived in the house Ron grew up in on Deer Lake since they were married in 2003. Their oldest daughter attends Lutz Elementary, as did her father, just a block away from the new office. The couple also has two pre-school-aged children. Since the Ierna’s started their company in 2003, it has doubled in size every year. They attribute their success to superior customer service, committed and talented employees and a core business value to give back to the community. “We try to support just about every worthwhile group that asks for a donation,” said Charlene. The Ierna logo is seen on everything from softball t-shirts to the penguin exhibit at The Florida Aquarium. “From equipment donations, to money, to free services, we continue to give back,” said Ron. “Not only is this great for our community, but our employees feel good working for a company that truly cares and makes a difference in the community where we live and raise our children." On Feb. 18, Ierna’s is hosting a community party to celebrate the renovation and opening of its new building. Christened “Beat The Heat,” the event will include a Chili Cook Off and many other fun family activities. “We plan to make “Beat the Heat” an annual event,” said Charlene. “It is exciting to finally have a location large enough to host a community event for the Lutz community, which has been so supportive of our business.” Charlene and Ron Ierna 813-948-6355 www.IernaAir.com