QC Times: The Story Behind Suburban Construction’s 30-Year Legacy

Doug Schorpp dschorpp@qctimes.com

"For windows, siding and doors ... Suburban Construction."

That commercial jingle is what comes to mind for many Quad-Citians when they think of the company. Suburban Construction celebrates 30 years in business at 11 a.m. today at its facility at 616 W. 35th St., Davenport.

The business started in 1985 with Brian Girskis, who now is retired.

“He grew up in Detroit,” said JR Girskis, Brian’s son, who now runs the company. “My grandfather was a bricklayer. That is where my dad got exposed to the trades.”

JR Girskis said his father eventually took a job in Rock Island with Alside, a company that specialized in the manufacturing of windows and siding. Two years later, in 1985, he started Suburban Construction.

“My mom, Linda, used to answer the phone. The company started in a little basement of our home in Bettendorf,” JR said. “And now we are a $5 million business.”

His two brothers, Paul and Pat, worked for the company for a time but now have pursued other careers.

JR Girskis said the business has evolved over the years. Today, 40 percent of its trade is from customers ordering exterior doors, in addition to siding and windows.

The company offices are located at the West 35th Street address where JR Girskis has added a wholesale company a few years ago called Suburban Wholesale. He sells building materials to contractors. Darin Wilson is vice president and co-owner of the company.

But clearly the most recognizable part of the company is the jingle that was born in 1993.

When Brian Girskis would make house calls, he played videos of Suburban products on video cassette recorders and eventually realized he needed a jingle. Through a local production company, the jingle was written and recorded.

“When my dad first played the jingle for me in 1993, I said ‘that sounds terrible,’ “ JR Girskis said. “But I can’t tell you how often customers are singing the jingle or staff are singing the jingle on the phone.”

“We always ask customers how they heard about us, and more often than normal people will break out into that song,” said office manager Laura Larson of Bettendorf.

“We probably don’t sing as often as they sing it. But I remember singing the jingle as a kid.”

https://qctimes.com/business/suburban-construction-celebrates-30-years/article_da94731d-d2c7-5884-a9b1-5432d41460de.html