A name that has been in Frankfort for over 80 years underwent an ownership change a little over a year ago. Purchasing the Winski Recycling Business at the end of the pandemic, Jim Byers has made quite an impact on a side of town that is although on the way up one that has seen better days.
In August 2021, just 14 months ago Jim Byers purchased Winski Brothers. “We are a full-service scrap metal yard and a waste hauling company. In addition to all of that, we sell new and used steel and aluminum. That should be enough to keep me busy for a while” says Byers.
He went on to tell us how he decided to keep the name Winski’s. He explained the Winski Brothers name is already established and it would be in his best interest to keep the name.
They have made many improvements. If you are familiar with Winski’s and may have driven by and seen the many improvements Byers has made. Like putting up a fence around the west side for safety reasons and to keep the property from being an eyesore.
He has also added a new digital scale and designed and made the property and scale so the trucks coming in do not have to back out.
With Room To Drive Around And Not Back Out
A lot of history is on the property.
Wallace Manufacturing owned the property which was organized in 1875 and only 25 square feet. After a fire destroyed the business, around 25 employees lost their jobs. The business set unoccupied until 1936 when Oscar Winski Purchased the property which has been known as Winski Brothers until the sale of the property to Jim Byers in 2021.
Jim and his wife Gena are working together at Winski’s daily. Their son Anthony is in charge of their web page. Although they still reside in Lafayette they are no strangers to Frankfort, Their other son James Byers is Frankfort High School’s Football Coach.
Jim and Gena are hoping to relocate to the Frankfort area. Clinton County Daily News and W-I-L-O were given a tour of the property recently and were able to snap a few photos of the many improvements made so far. Welcome to Frankfort Jim and Gena and the best of luck.
Listen to Patty Park’s interview with Jim Byers, new owner of Winski Brothers: