Lister News

The History of Lister

An interest in tools and a love of the Conejo Valley brought John "Jack" Lister from Hollywood to Thousand Oaks, where he opened a rental business, Lister Rents, on June 1, 1962.

Jack was attracted to the beautiful climate and wide-open space of the Conejo Valley and believed that the area's beauty would draw others as well. Thanks to the generosity of a local hardware store owner, he leased a small piece of property 3242 Ventura Boulevard (later renamed Thousand Oaks Boulevard) and built a small shop.

During his first five years in business Jack ran the rental yard by himself, working 11-hour days, seven days per week, until he added another employee in 1967. His wife, Jo Anne, kept the books and ran the counter when Jack had to deliver equipment or when business was more than he could handle. Their four sons Jim, Keith, Corey and Brett, worked for one dollar per day keeping the yard clean and washing equipment.

Jack's business grew with the community. He accommodated the growth by expanding to a barn that he renovated at the back of the property. The renovation enabled him to remain at that location for another 10 years.

Lister Rents experienced more major growth with the building boom of the late 1970s. Jack's hunch about the Conejo Valley paid off. People had begun to flock to the area. Both builders and home owners needed landscaping told and other equipment, and Lister Rents was there to provide them.

After 15 years and several expansions, Jack found it necessary to move to larger quarters, so he relocated to his present headquarters at the corner of Skyline and Hillcrest Drives. Although the new storefront was off the main street, he believed that his customers would be willing to follow him to a harder-to-find location, because he offered the highest quality rental equipment in the area.

After 23 years of hard work, Jack Lister's health deteriorated, and he died of multiple sclerosis on September 25, 1985. After his death, sons Jim and Corey have ran the business. "Jack said he'd be happy if one son would take over the business. He was ecstatic that two showed an interest," agreed both Jim and Corey Lister, who spent much of their childhood at Lister Rents. In 1989, Jim left Thousand Oaks to open "Lister Rents Oakhurst". Corey stayed on and continues to operate Lister Rents and Lister Party Rentals.

Over the years Lister Rents has provided equipment for many of the major developments in the Conejo Valley. What started as a one-man operation has grown to 20 employees and a full service yard which includes both party rental and equipment.

Jack would have been proud, if he were alive today, to see his rental yard celebrating more than 40 years of business.