Larry Yoder Masonry recently moved their offices from Iowa City to Riverside. The company provides brick, block and stone work in and around the Riverside area.

“We travel about 45 miles in any direction recently,” said Pat Yoder, one of the owners. “So, we go to Iowa City, Mt. Pleasant, Fairfield, Cedar Rapids, Marion, and other surrounding areas.”

Larry Yoder Masonry started in 1978, when Larry himself started building his business. Larry and his wife Terri incorporated in 1998 and then his son, Pat, and his wife, Rebeca, started buying shares in the company around 2008.

“Just this year they [my parents] let us become majority shareholders,” Pat said. “It’s always been a family-owned business. I started working for [my dad] in high school. Then, I went to Iowa State for a short stint and realized that maybe college wasn’t for me. So, I came back and started laying brick for my dad and I’ve done it ever since.”

Larry said the family gets along well, which makes running the business go smoothly.

“It’s nice to be able to spend time with our family and continue to give the rest of our family the things [my parents] were able to give us growing up.”

When people think of home improvement, masonry services might not come immediately to mind, but the Yoders say more people should consider adding brick or stone to their house, whether it’s veneer improvements on the outside or adding an outdoor living space.

“It does increase the value of your home,” Pat said. “Any appraiser will tell you it increases the value of your home. There are a lot of veneer options. We prefer brick or full-bed stone, but a lot of people have been using manufactured stone and adhering it to the outside of their house, which is an option.”

One of the biggest jobs Larry Yoder Masonry has tackled was St. Pat’s church in Iowa City.

“A tornado blew down the old church, then they built a new one out on the east side,” said Larry. “At one time we had 38 guys working there. That was the biggest crew ever.”

“We were on that job for about a year,” Pat said. “11 months. Six days a week. That was my life for 11 months.”

The Yoders also worked to help build the east side additions to Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

“They had us out during the half-time of the football game and presented us with a golden trowel,” Larry said. “That’s now hanging in Pat’s office.”

While the Yoders had 38 workers at St. Pat’s they said they’re currently having trouble finding labor.

“Our biggest problem right now is labor,” Pat said. “Not being able to find it. I am on Zip Recruiter and have done Facebook ads and ads in the newspaper and we just can’t find anybody.”

The company currently has 10 employees but would like at least 8-10 more.