“The option of renting is still the easier and most resource-efficient method of obtaining something for occasional use.”

– Mike Sharpe, President

AAYS story begins with a Hertz Truck Rental in the 1950’s. At the time, it was one of only four Hertz locations in the US with the others in Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. Burt Liss, who was the owner of the Hertz South Bend location, was the first in the nation to begin renting general rental items, such as hand tools and chairs, along with his Hertz trucks.

In 1966 Jim (J.W.) Sharpe bought the general rental side of the company, having the only general rental store within a 75-mile radius. Interesting fact: J.W.’s first rental to the University of Notre Dame was wooden folding chairs in 1967. He and his wife, Terri, began adding tables, chairs, dishes, electronics, highchairs, walkers, and even hospital beds to the inventory. However, it was the rental of tools that carried the company in the beginning.

J.W. and Terri’s three sons, Jim, Mike, and Tim, worked alongside them and joined the company full-time after college. Due to economic demands and the ever-growing inventories, in the 1980’s it was separated into two divisions – party and banquet rentals and tool rentals. Following J.W. and Terri’s retirement, Jim and Mike began overseeing the party and banquet rentals of tents, tables, chairs, china, etc. and Tim the tool division with scaffolding, compressors, generators, bobcats, chainsaws, etc.

In 2017, we dissolved our tool division to focus exclusively on what we do best: bringing events to life. Rebranding as AAYS Event Rentals, we streamlined our vision to serve our clients better. Today, with over 60 years of history, AAYS remains proudly family-owned and operated, boasting the largest and most extensive inventory in the Michiana area. As the region’s premier rental company, we continue to elevate every occasion with cutting-edge products, unmatched professionalism, and the deep integrity that our clients have trusted for generations.