Stormfront Moves To New Digs
A view of the new production room on the second floor of Stormfront's new headquarters.
Journal and Courier (press release), IN (Feb 10, 2009) - A building in downtown Lafayette that housed Pack Rat Antiques for 25 years has been converted to high-tech use.
The three-story structure at 424 Main St. most recently was the location of Buchanan Designs, after Pack Rat Antiques closed in 2003.
Stormfront Productions Inc. now occupies the building after operating from space of 302 Ferry St. for the past two years.
"We ran out of room," said Robert Theodorow, owner of the full-service online solutions provider. "We had 700 square feet. This gives us more than 3,000 square feet."
The move was necessary to provide adequate working areas for the company's increasing number of employees.
"We're at seven now and we're looking to grow to eight or nine," said Theodorow.
He recalled that in the former location, space was so tight that one person had to put their feet inside the bottom of a cabinet while working on their computer.
"We're blessed, that with the current economy, we're able to hire more people. It's impacted everyone. Ours has been very slight," Theodorow said.
"You have to work smarter and work differently. We have sales goals that we've met every month and we're on track to meet those this month. We're looking to hire another person who specializes in design and another that specializes in application and Web development."
Stormfront Productions provides services that include custom Web site design, search engine optimization, video production, e-commerce shopping solutions, application development, logo and identity branding, interactive business presentations, Internet marketing, and Flash and multimedia production.
The company's clients stretch from Purdue University to Indianapolis, Chicago and the South Carolina Hospital Association.
Theodorow, a graduate of Purdue University, launched the firm as a part-time venture from his home in 2002.
Stormfront Productions now offers free consultations, works with clients on their needs and budget, and provides services on an hourly or as-needed basis.
Chief technology officer Brandon Beatty worked part time for one year and then was hired as the firm's first full-time employee.
"When I started full time is when the economy started going down. I was concerned," Beatty said. "We're very happy that things are going the way they're going."
While converting the Main Street building for high-tech purposes, Theodorow learned it probably dates back to the 1860s and was earlier used as a saloon and later housed a restaurant.
Stormfront Productions employees also repainted the interior and are anxious for warm weather that will allow them to use a small open-air courtyard on the rear of the property.
"We try to keep it a fun atmosphere. There is usually music playing," said Theodorow. "I can see us getting 20 to 25 employees in here if we need it. This is a really cool building."
