About copycat hearth and home

We started as Copycat Fabricators in 1981 in Danbury, Wisconsin. Russ Estridge started making stoves in his garage in the evenings, on the weekends and when away from his full time job. When fabricating his creations he would “copy” other brand-name stoves, thus the Copycat name.
​
It wasn’t long before business was booming and Russ gave up his outside job and changed his company name to Copycat Stoves & Fireplaces. He searched to find other sources for product to keep up with the demand, while continuing to build the best product line of stoves, fireplaces and their accessories, keeping them at everyday low Copycat prices.

As the years passed, Russ made many friends while developing his business. In 1998, Russ & Ginny sold their business to their son & daughter-in-law. On Labor Day weekend 1998, Rick & Terri Estridge, along with the help of their sons Bill & Ryan and several other friends and relatives, opened “Copycat Hearth & Home” at a new location in Webster.

The next 23 years were a whirlwind ride for Terri, Rick, Jeff (Terri's brother-in-law) and Bill. They added showroom and warehouse space and grew the business into a company with over 10 employees!  

2021 brought in an exciting change with the third family generation taking over.  Bill and his wife Jessie purchased the business from Bill's parents, Terri and Rick, keeping the business name and location just as it is.  
​
The current location, at the corner of Main Street and Highway 35, has over 4,000 square feet of showroom which highlights over 28 live burning displays. Other showcases include hot tubs, chemicals and spa accessories.  Real and cultured stone. Accent furniture, home décor, lighting and unique gift items that are locally sourced with an emphasis on American made products when possible.  

At Copycat Hearth & Home you can find virtually anything you need to keep your home warm and cozy all year long!

Terri, Jeff and Sadie the original Copycat Pup!

Stop in and meet the Copycat family!
Owners: Bill and Jessica Estridge

Bill and Jessie's free time is usually filled with chasing their kids and pups around, traveling, canoeing the St. Croix and Namekagon rivers and spending as much time with extended family members as they can.  




​
Office/Bookkeeper: 

Valerie Darwin (7 years)
Valerie keeps our offices hopping!  She amazes us everyday with her busy as a beaver attitude and ability to track the guys down to re-coup missing paperwork.  She's amazing on the phone and keeps everything tidy.  She gets more done in two days than most people think about in one.   Off work, she still doesn't stop.  If she isn't bringing neighborhood ladies shopping or to lunch then she is out walking and working out.  Who does burpees on their lunch break???  (Val does)  Get it girl. 

Project Lead/Sales:

Terri Estridge (Wishes she was retired)
Terri is still working! She has so much knowledge and experience we can't let her leave yet. 
When she isn't working, she's riding her horses.  She loves fishing in Canada and squeezing her grandkids.  

Jeff Holmberg (Retired guy)
Jeff is retired, but you'll still catch his guest appearances on Saturdays and some Fridays.  Stop in and say hello! His past experience working in the field and then working in the showroom gives him the ability to understand almost any situation.  Nobody in the county holds a candle to this guy's fly fishing skills... trout watch out. 

Brad Tiedt (3 years)
After his work day you will find him fishing with his wife and kiddos or making syrup and honey products with his father-in-law at Porcupine Ridge Farm.  He keeps the schedule and ordering on track and customers appreciate his honesty and knowledge when it comes to style, heating and efficiency of the units they are looking at.  

Daniel Coan (Newbie)
Daniel accepted a position with Copycat in December 2020.  You will find him fishing, reading or out on a hike when he isn't helping our customers find their perfect fireplace.  He is a huge asset with his ability to willingly jump in to any area when needed. 
 

Installation and Service: 

Kyle Lindquist (6 years) and Rich Georgeson (3 years)
You often don't find one without the other.  This dynamic duo creates beautiful fireplace, stove and insert installations.  Or maybe you will meet them dropping off your new Spa!  Kyle's interests lie in farming, family and any other outdoor activities he can find time for.  Rich has a love for woodworking and the outdoors, you will find him sanding and building new designs while spending time with his family. 

Craig Knowlan (7 years, semi-retired)
Craig retired, well he tried to haha!  We roped him into working part-time when needed and boy do we use him often. Craig is currently working on stone work and installs, he's got the expertise and knows how to use it!  On his "retired" days off he does amazing things like growing his own mushrooms and harvesting wild rice.  You will almost always see a canoe strapped to the top of his car. 

Justin Gebhardt (3 years)
Justin is a versatile member who is able to float between service and installs which we are so thankful for!  Not many steep roofs bother this guy!  In his free time you'll find him grilling out with the family and enjoying watersports on the lake. He spoils our dogs and is easily bribed with food and desserts. 

Ken Stratton (1 year)
Ken may be relatively new to Copycat but he came with several years experience working on gas units around the metro area. He knows his stuff!  He enjoys a self-sustaining lifestyle with his wife and not one but two daughters (Tell him congrats on the new babe!).  Between Icelandic chickens and trying out his first maple syrup season, there isn't any moss on his feet.  He will often be caught singing opera in the back when he thinks no one else is in the shop.


Support Team:
​You have to have a support team... if you hear barking when you walk into the showroom... don't be afraid.  Nilla is 11 and her eye-sight is getting the best of her so she barks at every noise but she's really as sweet as Italian cream.  Libby is her daughter and if she's laying in front of the door-- just step over her-- your hair will turn grey if you wait for her to move.   The whining in the back is Louanne, she hasn't learned all her manners yet so you'll often see her peering over the baby-gate trying to look innocent so someone will set her free... don't fall for it.   

---

From Left to Right: Libby, Louanne and Nilla