This story is sponsored by the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce.
A chimney and fireplace service company with roots dating back nearly four decades is continuing to evolve while maintaining a focus on safety, craftsmanship, and customer trust.
Gray Cat Chimney was founded in 1987 by a family in Holland, Indiana, initially offering basic chimney sweeping, inspections, and maintenance services along with some installation work for wood-burning and gas appliances.
“It started off with standard sweeping and inspections, some maintenance work, and installations for wood-burning units and gas appliances,” owner Jeremiah Mundy said.
The company changed hands in 2019 and has since expanded significantly in both services and reach. Mundy, who began working with the business around 2021, now serves as the sole owner and leads a team of six employees.
“That’s where things really started to ramp up,” Mundy said. “We started to elevate the company and do a lot of schooling and continuous education to offer a broader range of services.”
That growth has included expanding into masonry work and more complex chimney projects, allowing the company to handle everything from routine cleanings to full chimney construction.
“We now build chimneys from the ground up, internally and externally, even above the roofline,” Mundy said.
Today, Gray Cat Chimney offers a wide range of residential and commercial services, including chimney inspections, sweeping and cleaning, repairs, relining, and venting solutions. The company also provides fireplace installation, repair, and conversion services, as well as masonry work such as brick and stone repair, tuckpointing, waterproofing, and restoration.
Mundy said the goal has been to create a one-stop shop for customers, whether they are installing a new system or addressing issues with an aging structure.
“Everybody knows the chimney sweep and needs their chimney cleaned, but for us, it’s about being a one-stop shop from ‘I want something new’ to ‘I have something that’s really old,’” he said.
The company serves both residential and commercial clients across a broad region, including Owensboro, Evansville, and parts of southern Indiana. Mundy said Gray Cat Chimney has built relationships with several local businesses and restaurants, handling everything from routine maintenance to specialized venting work.
Despite the modern scope of services, Mundy said many homeowners underestimate the importance of chimney care, especially when systems are not regularly used.
“Masonry’s number one enemy is moisture,” he said. “If you have brick or stone structures on the roof with no protection, it’s just a matter of time before the mortar starts to deteriorate.”
That deterioration can lead to water intrusion, structural damage, and safety concerns. In many homes, chimneys also serve as venting systems for furnaces or water heaters, making proper maintenance critical even if a fireplace is rarely used.
Mundy said the company has also seen strong demand for gas fireplace systems, particularly in the Owensboro area.
“We do a lot of gas logs, especially in Owensboro,” he said. “If the power goes out, people want something they can rely on.”
Gray Cat Chimney has grown its presence in Owensboro since partnering with local businesses around 2020–21, a relationship Mundy credited with helping establish the company in the market.
“We’ve had a really good relationship, and I owe them a lot of credit for helping us get established in Owensboro,” he said.
While the company continues to expand into nearby markets such as Evansville, Mundy said the focus remains on quality over rapid growth.
“We want to be that company where when you call us, it’s familiar faces and you’re getting quality, dependable work,” he said. “Our main focus is always going to be the quality of what we do.”
Mundy, a U.S. Army veteran, said he takes pride in operating a veteran-owned business and maintaining a skilled team that continues to build on the company’s long-standing reputation.
For Mundy, the work is not just about maintaining chimneys, but about addressing an often-overlooked part of home safety.
“Just drive around town and look at how many chimneys you see,” he said. “There’s a lot of them.”
The Chamber Member of the Week program is a Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce membership benefit. Founded in 1913, the Chamber has worked to provide valuable benefits and services to member businesses and individuals for over a century.
Today, with nearly 1,000 members, the Chamber is a guiding force in community and business development initiatives and serves as the center of business advocacy for the Greater Owensboro region.
To learn more about becoming the Chamber Member of the Week or inquire about Chamber membership, contact Kitty Jones, director of membership, at 270-926-1860 or [email protected].
