Our Story

Lewis and Western came into being by way of Landmark Builders, a small construction company located in Shelbourne, Vermont. Jonas Western, a lifelong Vermonter, and son of a builder himself, worked for Landmark during his undergraduate years at UVM, where he studied History. He stayed on post-graduation, and was soon joined by Robin Lewis, a Mainer, sailor, and recent Environmental Policy graduate of Colby College. Robin had moved to Burlington on a whim, with little direction except for a background in carpentry, and growing interest in residential construction. 

Both young carpenters learned from and were mentored by Griffyn Koski, the owner of Landmark. Griffyn, young himself, had created a company rooted in hard work and fueled by ambition-driven capability. Repeatedly, he demonstrated that excellent client relationship skills, an open mind, and a willingness to take on varied and creative projects catered to the residential construction industry in a way that was lacking. When supported by uncompromised building principles and extensive industry knowledge, the company soon developed a reputation for being capable beyond its size. 

Jonas and Robin were fortunate to work and grow as builders in this environment. Often grouped together, they settled into an easy and efficient working relationship. Both calm in demeanor, they also shared an affinity for careful work from frame-to-finish, and were often tasked with—and relished in—the most detail-oriented jobs presented to Landmark. 

Jonas eventually moved west to work for Vine Hill builders in Sonoma County, California. Over a three year period there he honed his skills in frame-to-finish residential construction. Meanwhile, on the east coast, Robin made his way back to Maine to pursue his captain’s license. He went on work as a captain in the environmental education and aquaculture fields; both roles incorporated his carpentry experience, and he continued to build on the side.

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In the days before Jonas left for California, Robin tagged along to help complete a few of Jonas’s side jobs. Stopping for lunch at a diner one of those days, Jonas asked, “Where are you going to end up?” 

“Portland,” Robin said, guessing.

“Want to start a business there in five years?” Jonas asked, and so began a joke that has since come to fruition ahead of schedule.