The Wells County Chamber of Commerce staff and Ambassadors held a ribbon cutting for Archbold & Lewis Insurance located at 206 N Main St, Bluffton on October 26 for owner Mike Lewis.
The business was established in 1936 and was called WW Pete Archbold & Associates. Mike’s father, Autie Lewis, joined the company in the early 1970’s and purchased the company approximately 3-5 years later. The name then changed to Archbold and Lewis Insurance Company. Mike started as an agent with the business in 1998 and they have been in downtown Ossian for six years.
Lewis stated that last year he had been looking at expanding to a second location in Waynedale, Decatur, Huntington or Bluffton. He decided to open an additional office in Bluffton. “We have a lot of clients from Bluffton that may not come to Ossian, so this will be more convenient. We already have a good base here in Wells County and since I am from the area (Norwell grad), it just made sense.” The convenience of parking with a high-traffic high-visible area was important to Lewis.
Lewis recently purchased the near-empty complex and within a month has filled the building with four businesses: Archbold & Lewis, Brightpoint, Ruoff Mortgage, and epl International.
There are three agents that will cover both the Ossian and Bluffton offices. Mike Lewis, Bill Dowty, and Joe Lewis have a combined 30 years of experience in the Insurance industry. “We will have a full-time agent at the Bluffton location and we anticipate adding agents as we grow,” adds Lewis.
Archbold & Lewis offers insurance for vehicle, life, property and business. “Being an independent agency allows us the flexibility to work with 15 different lines to price check quotes for customers. We have the ability to closely monitor what they are paying and offering options,” explains Lewis.
Lewis said he is very customer service oriented and that it is important to build relationships with his clients. “I want to get to know people, like they are my family. Nothing is more aggravating to call your agent, leave a message and never get a return call or simply never hear from them,” says Lewis. “I pride myself in delivering a higher standard of customer service in taking care of my clients.”
Mike is married to Tonia Lewis and they have 2 children, Caitlyn (14) and Connor (10). Connor explains, “my dad is a real trust-worthy man. He will help you through the way to get good insurance.”
Pictured in photo:
Mike, Tonia, Connor & Caitlyn Lewis, family, friends, clients, Chamber Ambassadors, Mayor Ted Ellis, and Erin Prible, Executive Director, Wells County Chamber of Commerce