Photos by Danny Graber
In early 2025, Johnathan Miller’s uncle sold his tent rental business to Miller and his business partner, Lyndon Bontrager.
What began five years ago with just three tents now boasts 34. Miller and Bontrager’s business, Intent Rental, provides outdoor shelters for weddings, auctions, graduation parties and business events in Middlebury and beyond.
Tents come in a variety of sizes, from 10-by-10 feet to 60-by-190 feet. Most are solid white, though some come in various colors. A few include see-through panes, while others are solid.
“It’s all according to what the customer wants, and at Intent Rental, we are determined to meet the need,” Miller said.
Renting a tent isn’t always something people plan when hosting an event.
“We have people scheduling more than a year in advance, but we can usually provide something last minute. It might be a different size, depending on the large events we have going on at the time, but we do our best,” Miller said.
When customers call, just a few important questions need to be answered to find the right fit for the event.
“We need to know if the tent will go on grass, concrete or asphalt, because we have to attach it to the ground one way or another,” Miller said. “We also provide options like solid sides or window sides.”
It’s one of those event details that is often overlooked. For a wedding, for example, there are many people behind the scenes — from someone setting up tables to someone stringing lights. The staff at Intent Rental are part of someone’s special day, providing a much-needed service for large events.
They handle all setups and teardowns, too.
“My favorite thing is customer satisfaction. When someone calls and we have exactly what they need, we put it up and take it down after the event. It’s hassle-free, and we’re leaving them with a smile,” Miller said.
Though they’ve grown the business in just a few months, Miller expects continued expansion.
“Our goal is to add another tent when we see the demand. If there’s a particular size that we use frequently, we’ll continue to add it to our inventory,” he said.
In addition to event tents, Miller and Bontrager provide other background necessities that often go unnoticed.
They also rent 6-foot and 8-foot tables and folding chairs for large events.
Ironically, the tables and tents are often not rented by the same customer.
“The tables and chairs come on carts. We’ll bring them in and let the customer set them up, or we’re happy to do it for them,” Miller said. “Often, a customer has the tables and chairs but needs the tent — and vice versa.”
Installation and removal are free for locations up to 20 miles from the shop. Prices vary based on tent size and any added options.
For more information, call 260-293-5165.
