BTWI cuts ribbon Thursday on larger store in East Perry Plaza

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fromt row from left,Bridget Leerhoff and little Benjamin Leerhoff, Raccoon Valley Bank Accounting and Operations Supervisor Diane Vallejo, Brynnlie Leerhoff, Landen Leerhoff, Skylar Leerhoff, Kierra Leerhoff, BTWI owner Nathan Leerhoff, Isabella Leehoff, Bianca Leerhoff, Mackenzie Leerhoff, Perry Chamber of Commerce Director Misty Stout VonBehren, Hy-Vee Community Event Coordinator Larry Vodenik and Dallas County Hospital Community Relations and Marketing Manager Macinzie McFarland; back row from left, BTWI receptionist Bailey Perkins, BTWI installer Seth Coleman, BTWI installer Steve Northrup, BTWI technician Mike Roberts, BTWI owner Jeff Leerhoff, BTWI scheduler Troy Bradley, Dallas County Conservation Board Forest Park Museum Curator Pete Malmberg and Perry Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bob Wilson.

In its ceaseless promotion of local Perry businesses, the Perry Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday morning at the new home of BTWI — locally known as Bits of Technology — at 1020 26th St. in the East Perry Plaza.

Nathan Leerhoff of Perry opened Bits of Technology’s retail outlet in 2009 at 1114 First Ave. Nathan’s father, Jeff Leerhoff, soon joined the company, and together they formed BTWI internet services in 2012.

“Our growth has been steady,” Jeff Leerhoff said Thursday, as Chamber members nibbled on morning fare and inspected the new quarters. “This gives us a lot more room for both our computer services and our network services.”

More room is an understatement. The new BTWI offices have about five times more space than the 5,750 square feet they filled on First Avenue.

More room means more stock and Bits of Technology’s expanded retail inventory includes a large selection of cables and adapters, computer parts, computer accessories, office equipment and supplies, networking equipment and other tech items.

“We’ve also expanded our services to include personal and business computer management, anti-virus solutions, data retention, email protection and security, Microsoft Office 365 management and sales and more,” said technician Mike Roberts, who manages the Bits of Technology side of the business.

BTWI’s internet service uses a fixed-wireless system for point-to-point data transmission, and they house their network servers at the new offices. They also have transmission equipment on towers in Story and Madison counties and are negotiating with the city of Perry to rent space on the city’s water tower for additional broadcast gear.

“I miss my neighbors,” said Perry Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bob Wilson, whose Chamber offices were next door to BTWI’s old store on First Avenue, “but I’m excited to watch a local Perry business grow.”

Swelling the crowd at Thursday’s ribbon cutting were the nine children of Nathan and Bridget Leerhoff: Benjamin, Brynnlie, Landen, Skylar, Kierra, Isabella, Bianca, Mackenzie and 20-month-old Malachai.

Jeff and Terri Leerhoff, who have been married 38 years, said their grandchildren are learning the business quickly, and some are already more tech savvy than they.

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