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"Have dealt with your company for over 30 years, and service has always been excellent."
—Mrs. Daws, Mechanicsville


Member

Better Business Bureau

International Door Association

National Federation of Independent Businesses

Home Builders Association
of Richmond

Retail Merchants Association
of Greater Richmond

Greater Richmond Chamber
of Commerce

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Family Owned and Operated Since 1953


Founding brothers Julian, Henry, and Gus Garber
Our History
Back in Richmond from their war-time service and ready to strike out on their own, three Garber brothers pooled their money and started their own overhead door company, incorporated in 1953.

At first the company operated out of Henry's house. At the end of each work day, Henry would drive the company truck home, park it on the back hill, and scrub down for family dinner. Soon the business relocated to a warehouse at 4400 Williamsburg Avenue in Fulton Bottom and acquired the Overhead Door Company franchise for the Richmond area.


Gus Garber with an employee during the flood of 1972



The "new" building at 2201 East Franklin Street, Shockoe Bottom



Youth gather for a race day at Gillies Creek Park



Carl Otto, President
A Pioneer in Shockoe Bottom
In 1975 the company relocated to its current location at E. Franklin Street, close to I-95 and I-64 in the historic Shockoe Bottom area. Julian Garber took note of the poor roof condition (the building had been vacant for 20 years) and made an offer. Once the offer was accepted he phoned his brother Henry, who was visiting his daughter's family in Hawaii, and broke the news about the roof.

For many years Garbers of Richmond was one of the few businesses located in Shockoe Bottom, which was largely abandoned in the 1960s. Extensive loft conversions and new retail have transformed the Bottom into a thriving area that's no longer quite so lonely.

Part of the Richmond Community
Garbers of Richmond has made a strong commitment to supporting natural and recreational resources, especially for young people. Garbers is the primary business sponsor of nearby Gillies Creek Park and offers management and occasional labor for park improvements and maintenance. Over the years this has resulted in an 18-hole disc golf course, a bicycle race track, and a set of regulation horseshoe pits that hosts regular tournaments.

Continuing Commitment to Customers
Today Garbers of Richmond, Inc., remains family owned and operated, and committed to the highest quality and service. Carl Otto, son-in-law of Henry Garber, serves as president. He's been with the company for more than 25 years, a second career he began after retiring as Commander from the U.S. Navy's submarine service.