In 1969, Don Lester was working at a building supply house in Gainesville when an unexpected opportunity came his way. The only garage door installer fell ill, and the orders began piling up. Local builders were desperate and asked Don to learn the trade. With the help of God and a few dear friends, Don answered the call, and Lester's Garage Doors was born. 

As the very first full-time specialty garage door company in Gainesville, Lester's quickly became known for its honesty, integrity, and top-notch service. The business offered expert installation, repair, and replacement of residential garage doors and openers, a tradition that continues to this day. 

In those early days, Don and his growing sons, Steve and Richard, installed doors from the family station wagon, working after school and on weekends. Over the years, every one of Don and Frankie Lester's six children contributed to the business. Two of them, Richard and Janet, stuck with it for the long haul. 

Today, Lester's Garage Doors is still owned and operated by the Lester family. "We're proud to serve Alachua County with the finest products and workmanship available in the garage door industry. Our long-standing motto is simple: treat people the way you'd like to be treated, and it's earned us a reputation for the best service in town." 

Don Lester didn't just build a business, he helped build Gainesville. He was deeply involved in the Gainesville Home Builders Association (GHBA) and the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA), serving multiple terms as Associate Vice President and on the FHBA executive committee. In 1988, he was named FHBA Associate of the Year. The GHBA even created an annual honor in his name: The Don Lester Award. 

Richard Lester followed in his father's footsteps, becoming active in the GHBA and FHBA and serving as 2nd Vice President. In 1985, Richard expanded the company by launching a new division, Gates Elegante, which specializes in installing and servicing automatic gates and gate operators. 

In 1981, Eddie Hoeft was hired as a service tech, but Don quickly recognized Eddie's integrity and leadership, eventually promoting him to Manager and then Vice President in 1992. Eddie married Janet Lester in 1988, making him not just part of the company but part of the family.. When Don retired in 1995, the business was left in the capable hands of Richard, Janet, and Eddie.

The company is now entering its third generation with the addition of Susan Thompson, Eddie and Janet's daughter, who brings corporate experience to the table.. While we've explored various markets over the years, our heart remains in Gainesville, specializing in residential garage doors, openers, and repairs. We're proud to carry trusted brands like Genie, Garaga, and Mid-America, many of which are made in the USA. Our Service Manager, Mark Wood, has been with us for over 30 years and is beloved by our customers. With more than 150 combined years of experience, we continue to be Gainesville's go-to garage door experts. 

Simply put, we give all credit to God. This business was His gift to us. We've relied on Him every step of the way and strive to run the business according to biblical principles.  After more than five decades, chances are you know one of us through school, church, work, or maybe just from bumping into us at the grocery store. We're your neighbors and friends. We're not in the business of overcharging; we genuinely want to help. In a world full of noise and deception, it's refreshing to work with someone real-someone you can trust. 

Lester's Garage Doors is fully licensed and insured. Eddie Hoeft holds a Florida Building Contractor's License, allowing us to stay current with hurricane codes. We're also one of the few garage door companies to hold our own contractor's license and are regularly consulted by local authorities as trusted experts. All of our employees pass thorough background checks and drug screenings, giving our customers peace of mind. 

The Lester family's history in Gainesville dates back to 1921, when Frank and Veronica Heitzman (grandparents of Richard and Janet) moved to Southeast Gainesville. Frank operated Heitzman Poultry Farm and later ran Heitzman Signs from what is now the Lester's Garage Doors office - formerly a chicken coop! 

Frank painted signs for downtown Gainesville businesses and even did gold leaf work on historic buildings like the Hippodrome Theatre. When he fell ill, his daughter, Frances (Frankie), and son-in-law, Don Lester, moved their six children to Gainesville to care for him. The family settled into the old Heitzman homestead and launched Lester's Garage Doors right from that same converted chicken coop. 

In the early years, they added warehouse space, two trucks, and even sold Hotpoint appliances alongside garage doors. A second location in Ocala was added in 1985, and a second warehouse was built to support Gates Elegante.

Don Lester's impact on the Gainesville building community was profound. In addition to his many awards and leadership roles, he was well known for his famous barbecued shrimp at GHBA events. Over the years, both Don and Richard received the GHBA Associate of the Year award. The family is honored that Don's legacy lives on through the annual Don Lester Award.

For more than 55 years, the Lester family has operated from the same Southeast Gainesville location. The building may have started as a chicken coop, but today it serves as the beating heart of a family business dedicated to quality, service, and community. 

Thank you for trusting us with your homes. We're proud to be your neighbors and even prouder to be your garage door experts.