The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce spotlight for September is Leinard Mobile Home Park at 103 Frank Leinard Parkway Co Rd 424 Antwerp, Ohio.
The mobile home park has been a stable center in the Antwerp community for many years. The farm ground on which the mobile home park stands today was first farm ground that was purchased by
Frank and Barb Leinard in 1968. The park grew through the 1970’s with the strong production at the Dana-Weatherhead facility and many other plentiful jobs in the area. Interest rates on home mortgages were very high during that time making mobile home living more feasible. The park has grown to 63 lots today.
Mary Leinard, Frank’s daughter, began working with her father at the park in 1997.
After Frank’s passing, Mary purchased the park and operated it until just recently when she decided to retire. The park was purchased by Andrew and Jill Elbrecht from Ft. Wayne. It was important to Mary that whoever purchased the park would continue the personal, family oriented feeling that Mary has developed within the park over the last 24 years. There are residents that have been in the park for 35 years with some 3rd generation residents. Mary felt that she found within Andrew and Jill, people who will continue with the legacy that she has worked hard to maintain and Andrew says that he is fully committed to keeping that legacy alive and well.
Andrew will be retaining the name of Leinard Mobile Home Park. The property is a family investment and he will be the face of the park. There are currently 47 homes within the park all of which are occupied at this time. There are 16 additional lots that he intends to place mobile homes on. Andrew intends that the park remain a safe, secure and family oriented park. He wants to maintain the roads and sidewalks and keep them well-lit for safety and security.
One of the interesting things that is unique to the park is that it is a fishing hangout for the residents. The park is set on the banks of the Maumee River and when the weather is right folks can be seen fishing along the banks with their families.
Andrew realizes that there is community pride in ownership and he believes that is what sets this park above others. He believes that communication is vital and his residents can all him any time day or night. Even though Andrew does not live in the Antwerp Community, he is eager to help out do whatever he can to support other community businesses. He is an active member of the Antwerp Chamber of Commerce and takes pride in volunteering in other community events.
Mary is still around and he is happy to have her help and expertise for as long as she is willing.
The Antwerp Chamber of Commerce is pleased to have the Leinard Mobile Home Park partnering with us in the Antwerp Community.
