This week, a new shop opened at 420 N. Fourth St., Suite D, the site of the former Lester’s Donuts.

Dennis Heffron started The Digital Junction, a U.S. Cellular business offering U.S. Cellular phones and services.

Available will be Smart phones, the regular line-up of voice and data phones and pre-pay phones, as well as being a bill-pay center.

That means customers can stop by to pay their bills, which is a convenience for anyone wishing to pay cash, said Heffron.

The Digital Junction is now open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.

Heffron said he anticipates Chillicothe’s store to be a two-person shop. The phone number for the business is 274-6700.

“It usually takes about 30 days to figure out what we’ll need in terms of employees,” said Heffron.

Heffron and his wife, Cindy, live in Peoria and have three children and seven grandchildren.

Son Dustin (Jana), who lives in Mapleton, is a partner with his father and is working at the Chillicothe store.

Daughter Chelsey (Scott) King lives in Indianapolis and works in purchasing for Wurth Service and Supply.

Son Dereck (Laura) works at Mossville Caterpillar Inc. and lives in Peoria.

He said that U.S. Cellular approached him about opening a store in Chillicothe.

“The Chillicothe community has need for a center,” said Heffron. “As an exclusive agent with the company, I think I’m able to provide a quality service for the community.”

Heffron started The Digital Junction six years ago this fall. In addition to his new location, he also has stores in Morton, Bloomington, El Paso and Pontiac.

“Our business is based on customer service,” said Heffron. “We pride ourselves on not just selling a phone or plan, but finding out just what the customer needs and getting them into the product and helping them afterwards.”

The family owned business also has another connection to Chillicothe. Dennis Heffron’s brother is John Heffron, director of CrossWord Café in downtown Chillicothe.

“I tell everyone John’s my ‘older’ brother,” joked Heffron.

Although Heffron has worked in the phone business for almost six years, his background is actually in the restaurant business, where he formed his basic beliefs about the business world.

“Because I came from the restaurant business and had such a good career at Lums, I took from that career the ethical way of doing business and treating your employees, and that has transcended into our business.

“I’m very fortunate to attract good employees who stay with me, and I think that makes a difference.

“In today’s world, in so many businesses, employees are just a number. It has been fun to open up businesses and keep them running.”

Heffron said he is anxious to get his new business into full operation.

“We’re looking forward to being in Chillicothe,” said Heffron. “It’s a smaller town, and we do real well in small towns. We look forward to getting open in Chillicothe.”