By Lori Ehde
Woodley Auto Service was open for its last day of business Saturday, Dec. 30.
After more than 15 years of operating as a father-son repair shop, Ed and Keith Woodley decided it was time to close the shop and move on to other things.
"We've had some very good times together and met a lot of people as father and son," Keith said.
"I've been an auto mechanic all my life, and I've learned a lot in the past 15 years. It's been fun and challenging. Every day was a learning experience."
A few factors played a role in the seemingly abrupt decision. For one thing, Ed's health has been fragile since his stroke two years ago. At age 69, he said he's ready to slow down some.
Changes in the industry have also influenced their decision.
"It's tough for a small business to stay current with the changes in the auto mechanic industry," Keith said. "It's to the point where I'm spending more on the tools of the trade than I'm bringing in."
He said new vehicles are more expensive to service because they're computer-driven.
"Now, we're spending more time diagnosing computer problems than we are repairing vehicles," he said.
Keith said he's always enjoyed the personal contact with his customers, but he won't miss the skinned knuckles and explaining unplanned car expenses.
"I don't always get a lot of people who are real happy to see me, because they're going to have to spend some money."
They'll miss the rewards and flexibility of owning their own business, but both men look forward to pursuing other interests.
For Ed, that will include more retirement-like activities such as working on his wooden bowls, a hobby he's enjoyed for years.
He'll also stay busy with a side business at the shop, assembling and testing small water softeners for Frakco. The units are used in motor homes and other recreational vehicles. This year alone, he and his wife, Jeanne, who kept books for Woodley Auto Service, assembled nearly 1,300 units.
For Keith, not owning and operating the business will free him to spend more time on Woodley Family Racing. Since their three boys were little, Keith and his wife, Laura, who works at Berkley Information Services, have been involved with go-kart racing.
The boys are now 19, 14 and 10. The entire family last year earned the prestigious "Sportsman of the Year Family" award from the Dakota Kart Club.
They build their own engines and with three mechanically-inclined boys in the family, the go-kart business has taken over the Woodleys' three-stall garage and basement.
Now that Woodley Auto Service is closed, Keith has purchased his father's share of the business, and his family will use the shop for their racing needs and tinkering projects.
Keith immediately started considering other employment in auto repair.
"I'll be 45 years old, and my New Year's resolution is to clean up my act, get a haircut and get a real job," he said Friday.
The job search didn't last long. Dick Herman has already offered him a job as shop foreman at Herman Motors. Keith was honored.
"It's the first time in my life I've had someone offer me a job," he said. "To have someone recognize you and approach you - that means a lot."
His first day on the new job was Wednesday.