A Need to Head South Groom Construction opened a Naples office to better support all the work it does in Florida and the Southeastern U.S.

Over more than 40 years in business, Massachusetts-based Groom Construc­tion has established strong relationships with several national retailers. The full-service general contracting and con­struction management firm works with them on projects around the country, but Florida has emerged as a hot spot for retail development.

“Companies like Target, CVS and TD Bank had a growing body of work in the state and wanted our help and retail construction expertise for those projects,” says Dwight Groom, a princi­pal at Groom Construction along with David Groom, Scott Faulkner and Tom Groom. “As we continued to develop our subcontractor network and hired more Florida-based employees, it became clear that it was a good idea to have a physical office in Florida.”

The firm chose Naples as its Florida home base, first opening a satellite of­fice in 2022 and then opening its more permanent location at 3415 Radio Road in October 2024. Some of the company’s principals already had connections and second homes in the area, so it made the expansion an easy move.

And a smart one. “Opening our Naples office brings significant advan­tages, strengthening our presence in the Southeastern U.S. and enhancing regional operations,” says Groom. “With a dedicated office, we can better oversee projects, manage timelines, and coordi­nate subcontractors more effectively, im­proving overall efficiency. It also allows for stronger collaboration with local staff, clients and partners, ensuring seamless communication and teamwork.”

Groom Construction specializes in retail construction at a national level but also works in the commercial, in­stitutional and multifamily sectors. The firm offers preconstruction consulting and design build services along with construction management and general construction services.

In Florida, Groom Construction has recently worked on several projects in the southern part of the state, including Gateway Plaza in Fort Pierce and mul­tiple projects for Target, TD Bank, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Hibbett, TJX and other retailers. In Southwest Florida, it’s com­pleted several non-retail projects at sites that include Four Winds Condominiums, Diplomat Club, GreenLinks Golf Vil­las at Lely Resort, Tarpon Cove, Royal Harbor and Tower Pointe at Arbor Trace.

The company hopes that’s just the be­ginning. “Establishing a base in Florida positions us to pursue more commercial and retail projects, tapping into a grow­ing market while also enhancing client support through faster response times and personalized service,” says Groom. “Our goal is to make Naples a true exten­sion of our home office in Salem, Mass., where we have built a strong reputation across multiple sectors of the construc­tion industry. We aim to establish the same level of recognition and expertise in South Florida as we have in New Eng­land, serving a diverse range of markets.”

It’s not without its challenges, though. “Entering a new market means building brand awareness and credibility, under­standing local market dynamics and establishing a strong team,” says Groom. “We are focusing on networking, form­ing local partnerships, and recruiting skilled talent who understand the area.

“We are only as good as the peo­ple who represent us,” he continues. “Knowledge and experience in both the managerial side as well as the trades is critical to success.”

Safety is a priority for the firm, and it takes a proactive approach to preventing injuries and accidents by auditing jobsites regularly, quickly correcting any unsafe conditions, and integrating safety into the pre-construction planning process. Giving back is also important, and the company has supported several non­profits in the communities it operates in.

The company knows it has many dif­ferentiators it can point to. “What sets us apart from other construction companies is our ability to grow the business without sacrificing our core values,” says Groom. “We recognize that as a company, you’re only as good as your last project, so we always want to leave a lasting impression with our clients.”

That definitely seems to be happen­ing. “Groom Construction has served as a construction manager and general con­tractor for hundreds of Best Buy projects throughout the United States, and we have been working with them for over 20 years,” says Kristine Lindeman, director of construction for Best Buy. “Groom has steadily become one of our largest, most reliable general contractors.”

Michael J. Jones, president and CEO of Massachusetts-based Institution for Savings agrees. “We have worked with many construction companies over the years, and our expectations are high. From our first meeting until the ribbon was cut, Groom Construction met those expectations at every step. Their team was courteous, professional, and, most importantly, efficient.”

Jonathan Lavash, founder of Jona­than Lavash Project Management in Massachusetts, echoes those sentiments. “As a consulting owner’s representative for a variety of institutional and private entities, I have worked with Groom Con­struction on many complex construction projects,” he says. “Groom Construction works as an excellent partner during pre­construction. They bring significant and relevant historical experience, and they work in a good teamwork fashion with the owner and design team.”

The firm’s years of experience and solid reputation are two assets Groom Construction will highlight as it con­tinues to get its name out in Southwest Florida and the rest of the state. It’s been named Construction Firm of the Year by Boston Real Estate Times in 2019 and 2023 and made the 2023 Inc. Region­als: Northeast list of fastest-growing companies in that region, among other accolades.

“We want people to know that even though we’ve only had a Florida office since 2022, we have been working in Florida for over 20 years, and Groom Construction has been around for 45-plus

years,” says Groom. “You can trust the fact that we aren’t going anywhere.

“Our long-standing reputation is built on trust, reliability and a commitment to excellence,” he continues. “Whether it’s ground-up construction, renovations or tenant improvements, we bring deep industry expertise, strong project man­agement and a client-focused approach to every job. Most importantly, we are here to stay. We are invested in building lasting relationships and contributing to the growth of the Southwest Florida community.”