Crescent Landscape garners Business of the Year Award
Sue and Allan Olynick, owners of Crescent Landscape Supply and Olynick Transit, are thrilled to be the recipients of the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation Quadrant 3 Business of the Year Award, which was presented to the couple Aug. 19. The two say if it wasn’t for the wonderful employees, truckers and mills which supply the business with what it needs, they wouldn’t be where they are today. Photo by Ginna Young
By Ginna Young
If you drive along State Hwy. 27, halfway between Cadott and Cornell, there’s a sprawling business, operated since 2000, by Jump River transplants Allan and Sue Olynick. Each year it’s been in existence, Olynick Transit and Crescent Landscape Supply has added on, with a dozen buildings now to their credit.
Because of their efforts and continued growth, the Olynicks received the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) Quadrant 3 Award at this year’s annual meeting Aug. 19. The awards program recognizes top-notch businesses, entrepreneurs and economic development influential leaders.
The Olynicks’ landscape business takes the residue that comes from lumber mills as a waste product, turning it into a sellable product. On the transit side, large trucks are worked on to keep them on the road and WisDOT compliant.
Allan’s background comes into play, as he started out in concrete and gravel, and worked in the woods since he was 18. But, when they made the move to Cadott, the Olynicks had a hard time finding a spot for their business.
“Finally, a farmer said we could have this,” said Sue of their State Hwy. 27 site. “We were lucky.”
From the original 10 acres, the business now has almost 80 acres, as well as two other locations. The Chetek branch is strictly a grinding center for ABC Supply Co., while the New Richmond site is manned by son, Cole, as a bark and playground chip storage, serving the Twin Cities.
“Playground chips is a big part of this business,” said Allan.
The chip part of the landscaping was started in about 2005, with Crescent supplying to most of Wisconsin, into Michigan, as well as Minnesota.
“For the little community of Cadott, to reach out that far…the products from these mills are going into three states,” said Allan. “The mills are a very significant part of why we’re in business, why we compete in all of Wisconsin.”
Allan and Sue say that all the employees play a huge role in the success of the business, and can’t thank them enough for their hard work and dedication, as well as all the truckers and sawmills. The duo also said they are honored to receive the CCEDC award and it’s because of the great people they surround themselves with.
“It’s been a rewarding run,” said Allan. “Challenging, but rewarding.”
