by Rachel Schreiber

Diamond Glass & Feiners would have to wait 98 years for Steve Payeur and his family to become its owners. Founded in 1884, Diamond Glass & Feiners will celebrate its 125th anniversary this year with Steve and his family at the helm. This is the epitome of a true family business. Steve is the principal owner and his wife, Sunday, does the bookkeeper. Lacey, his daughter, started working at Diamond when she was 14 years old. She answers the phone and takes care of the customers. Lacey’s husband, Grant, is a glazier installer along witth Steve’s twin sons, Brad and Brent. Lacey and Grant’s two girls, ages three and seven, come to work and they love to answer the phones. They are training to work in the family business.

In addition to their family, Steve employs two other two other glaziers and installers, Dave Schirer and Bradley Livingston. Keesha Alexander works with Lacey in the office.

Diamond Glass & Feiner’s specializes in glass window and door installation, as well as repair for commercial, residential customers. They also install custom mirrors, shower doors, storm windows and screens. The work can be done at the business or at the client’s location.

Steve purchased Diamond Glass & Feiners in 1982. Steve says, “I didn’t want to work for other people. So I bought Diamond and made changes. Within one month, our sales doubled. A lawyer in St. Clare Shores taught me how to set contracts and gave me good business tips.”

Soon, Sunday would join him at work taking on her role as bookkeeper. She says, “I worked as a bank teller and I didn’t know until two weeks before the babies were born I was going to have twins. I didn’t want to pay $5 for childcare to be able to go to work. So I stayed home and a few years later Lacey was born and I did daycare. I came to work here with Steven when the kids were older and could be left alone for a while.”

Sunday remembers when Steve bought the business. She says, “We were real young and he had worked in the glass business before and he’s smart. I trusted him and he is a good worker. I didn’t have any fear at all.”

At this time, Steve doesn’t have extensions plans for Diamond. The economy has forced him to lay off some installers, but he says, “Our numbers are sticking to close to what they usually are.”

Diamond Glass and Feiners
Steve Payeur
2350 W. Liberty Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Phone: 734-769-2722