Shed business most recent bloom is called Topaz

It's spring and things are sprouting out of the ground like crazy.

Especially, it seems, with sheds as is most recently evident by one of the newest businesses in Cheney, Topaz Sheds. The company sells the Old Hickory line of products based out of Tennessee.

Locally, Topaz, the company named after the family dog, a German shepherd, is operated by Tricia Davis in the former Conoco gas station and convenience store at 103 First St.

And the reason sheds are showing up almost everywhere, Davis said is, "They're not just to store your stuff anymore."

Utility sheds range in size from 8-feet by 8-feet ($1,895) to 14 x 40 ($10,645), and people are making houses out of them, Davis said. "My 12 x 28, with the deluxe playhouse package, is one of the biggest sellers," she added.

For one, it already looks like a house, she said of the model with a front porch and a "people door." Personally, Davis said she would not have a porch because so much space is lost.

"A lot of the people who are coming in here have property," Davis said. They tote the structure to that space and use it as a cabin. Or hunters make it their lodge, as long as some insulation is added to the bare stud walls. Add-ons include double-pane windows.

"If you go on the website for Old Hickory (www.oldhickorysheds.com) and look at the pictures of what they've done to these, it's amazing," Davis said.

Customers finish the interior or add a kitchen or bathroom to a building that was initially designed with storing lawn equipment and summer patio toys in mind.

Some are able to have sleeping areas in a loft, perfect for the kids. The company's Lofted Barn line starts with structures 8-feet x 10-feet ($2,395) up to 14 x 40 ($10,995).

While the term "shed" conjures up a building meant only for storage, and Davis said, "You would think that," such is not the case.

The recent boom in "Tiny Houses" has fueled the demand, Davis said.

The sheds are either built in the shop, and trucked to the customer, or members of the Mennonites will come out and build on site if a truck cannot gain access.

Factories can be found across the United States, Davis said. The nearest production facility is in the Seattle-area.

Davis, and her husband, Ken, are Cheney residents who landed here back in 2008 when Ken's career in the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft hydraulics specialist was winding down. He retired in 2011 and embarked on a second career working for the state of Washington with the Department of Social and Health Services.

After leaving her job on the civilian side of the Air Force, Davis was looking for a way to spend time with her dog, a teacup Chihuahua named Jade.

"I could either sit at home and do nothing, or I could sit here and make some money," Davis said. "I just didn't want a nine to fiver job again, I've done that for 20-plus years."

CONTACT INFORMATION

Topaz Sheds is located at 103 First St. To contact Topaz Sheds, call (605) 545-0982 or email topaz_sheds@outlook.com.

Paul Delaney can be reached at pdelaney@cheneyfreepress.com.