NORTH LIMA -- Many Mahoning Valley homes have grown in size and shape over the years, thanks in

NORTH LIMA -- Many Mahoning Valley homes have grown in size and shape over the years, thanks in large part to Bill and Jeff McAuley.
"We began with awnings, doors and windows. Now we do mostly awnings and porch enclosures," said Bill McAuley, who along with his brother, Jeff, own Porch 'N Patio Furniture and Alprod, two North Lima businesses next to each other on Market Street.
The brothers' father, Jim McAuley, opened Alprod in the early 1960s and the business sold mainly aluminum products and specialized in doing remodeling work. By the mid-1970s, Jim McAuley expanded his operations by opening Porch 'N Patio Furniture, still in the same location. After he retired, the McAuley brothers became partners and took over both.
Except for about two years working as a laborer at the former Republic Steel, Bill McAuley has worked continuously at Alprod for 36 years; Jeff McAuley started there about 30 years ago, shortly after high school.
Specialty
The businesses now specialize in building custom-made, three- and four-season enclosure rooms as additions for porches, homes, mobile homes and condominiums. Alprod's 10 employees also design awnings meant to be fitted to the side of mobile homes that serve as carports, McAuley said.
Porch 'N Patio also offers brown and white wicker items, porch swings and patio umbrellas, as well as brand-name furniture such as Winston, Tropitone and Lloyd Flanders. Much of that furniture is made from Textaline and Sumbrella fabric, materials that dry quickly and don't require cushions and covers, Bill McAuley said.
Last year, the McAuleys added their own 87-foot-by-16-foot enclosure to Porch 'N Patio to expand the showroom for their furniture and to give customers an idea of what such a room can look like.
For the bargain-minded, Bill McAuley recently opened another business, Discount Casual, an outlet store in New Springfield.