JDog Junk Removal and Hauling Boulder County and Loveland — a franchisee of the veteran-owned JDog —is holding its grand opening this evening. The event celebrates the new Longmont-based business, but more importantly will fundraise money to support local veterans.
The grand opening will be at The Garden, Left Hand Brewing Company’s outdoor space at 1245 Boston Ave on October 6 between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.
JDog is using its big day to raise money for the Veterans Community Project of Longmont, a non-profit that supports veterans who are experiencing homelessness through housing assistance and a walk-in resource center.
The local JDog Junk Removal and Hauling is managed by Longmont couple John Lindsay, owner, and Laura Lindsay, Vice president. Beginning operations in August, the Lindsay’s join a national network that franchises exclusively to veterans and military family members. JDog offers removal and hauling of furniture, fixtures and more, as well as carpet cleaning and commercial or residential demolition.
John gravitated to the hauling company for its mission: helping decrease the veteran unemployment rate by offering job opportunities and franchise ownership. Before JDog, John was enlisted in the military and deployed twice, served as a military officer and spent five years working as an intelligence analyst for the FBI.
He started working in the private sector as a privacy consultant. Though he loves and continues that work, he felt like something was missing.
“I found something lacking from what I've been doing in the past,” John said. “Like working for money is one thing, but working for people is worthwhile.”
When he met with other potential franchise owners early into joining JDog, John said he felt at home. Everyone had the shared experience of being a veteran. He said he didn’t hesitate to take the franchise opportunity and realized a local JDog could help his community.
So far, John has hired two people and is actively looking for more employees. Though staff are not required to have served in the military, veterans and their family members are encouraged to apply. John added that JDog franchises work with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for its Compensated Work Therapy, giving on-the-job training opportunities to veterans with the possibility of employment when they complete the program.
JDog deters items from the landfill as much as possible, John said, adding that 60 to 80% is reused, repurposed or recycled. Laura utilizes her background in art and restoration to fix up furniture that JDog hauls away and isn’t in good enough shape to donate.
Since starting operations in August, JDog Junk Removal and Hauling Boulder County and Loveland has begun building its presence. John said that he believes customers appreciate JDog’s services because it is veteran operated.
“From my experience over the last month as we've ramped up, people want this service and they want it from somebody that they know that they can trust in their home,” John said. “Somebody who served their country and is now serving the community is somebody that they feel like they can trust in their home.”
The grand opening this evening is free entry and will have a ribbon cutting for JDog, music, games and other family-friendly activities. JDog’s mascot, a bulldog, will be present to greet guests.
In addition to the available activities, they will project the trailer for “Operation Hidden Treasure,” a new Discovery Channel T.V. series documenting JDog crews, onto the barn in The Garden. Though the JDog serving Boulder County and Loveland isn’t featured, it follows different franchises and JDog founders Jerry and Tracy Flanagan. It’s series premiere is on October 10 at 8 a.m. Eastern.
The Lindsay’s are excited for its official opening, they felt it was important to make the event’s purpose twofold to support the VCP Longmont. Guests will have the option to donate as much as they like throughout the event.
The grand opening part of it is only grand because it's going to be a fundraiser,” John said. “What I'm more happy about is that we're doing something really good for the community with the grand opening. It's like a platform for something positive.”
