Sean Oldaker is more than just a bit familiar with Bridgeport. He graduated from Bridgeport High School back in 1995 and resides in the city.

 

About the only thing not attached to Oldaker that wasn’t Bridgeport was his place of employment. As the majority owner of Elite Custom Builders, he has been operating out of Stonewood.

 

The business, which employs about 25 people, is on the contracting front. It specializes in residential and commercial works and chances are good you know some of it. Elite has handled recent buildouts in Bridgeport – particularly at White Oaks – in Bonnie Belle’s, Cody’s, The Oaks Salon and plenty more.

 

Soon, Sean Oldaker’s business will be coming home to Bridgeport. And it will be the latest addition to White Oaks.

 

“We are developing roughly 3.83 acres that is part of the White Oaks development and we will be locating the new home for Elite Custom Builders there,” said Oldaker.

 

The new home will be one of two businesses that will be housed in an 8,000 square foot structure going up at the location in White Oaks off of South Wedge Street. For those unfamiliar with that roadway, it’s the road leading into the entrance to the new BFS and the Black Bear Express businesses situated just off of the Saltwell Road exist of Interstate 79 South.

 

“We’re pleased with the location because it’s right off the interstate,” said Oldaker. “We’ll be seen very clearly from Interstate 79 and that visibility should be helpful for any type of business, retail or otherwise, that we hope to attract to this property.”

 

Oldaker is developing the property through another company, RS Property Management that he is the majority owner of. On Oct. 16, that company acquired a building permit for $420,000 from the city. 

 

The good news is that Oldaker said that along with Elite going into the 8,000 square foot building he is finalizing a deal with another business to fill out the space. He said that business is one familiar to many in Bridgeport and throughout the area.

 

The better news is that the acreage will likely be home to more than just the one building and the two businesses. Oldaker has plans to develop all of the property.

 

“What I’d like to do is build two more 8,000 square foot buildings; maybe a building with warehouse space and some retail space in the front because there are businesses that need that and you don’t usually see it available,” said Oldaker. “At the same time, if there are other businesses that would want to go into what we building I’m open to anything. I’m not married to the warehouse concept, but I do think the warehouse with a retail front is something needed.”

 

Oldaker hopes the new building will be completed and with Elite operating from it in March of 2018. As is usually the case, weather will be a factor on that timeline.

 

So why the need to move?

 

“We’re way above what we predicted for growth and right now it seems like everyone is spending money on construction, which has been great for us,” said Oldaker.

 

Oldaker said the development soon to be his new home has been critical in the need to find a new location to handle growth.

 

“Dealing so much with properties here at White Oaks on the commercial end has tremendously helped our growth and given us the ability to look for a new home,” said Oldaker. “It’s not the only reason, but it’s a key reason.”

 

And getting the business he co-owns back into the city was key as well. As mentioned, the location is critical, but it’s also personal.

 

“I absolutely have wanted to be located in Bridgeport and that’s been a goal to get back home,” said Oldaker. “This community has helped me out and now I hope to give back by investing in it. Our Stonewood home has been great, but now we need a bigger location and more visibility and this fits. Ultimately, I hope to bring as many new businesses and jobs to Bridgeport as possible.”

 

For anyone interested in learning more about Elite, visit their Web site at www.buildwithelite.com. 

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Randy Spellman going over the plans, while a sketch of the building once finished is shown in the middle and the main entrance to White Oaks is shown below.