BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—A longtime tire shop and auto service center in town is celebrating its 26th year taking care of Crawford County customers.

Randy’s Tire & Auto Repair, 1000 N. Sandusky Ave., is a family-owned business run by Randy and Laurie Scheffler.  A business built on the tire industry – and so much more.

“Basically, what we built our business on is trust, word of mouth,” said Randy.  “Our customers know who we are.  We built our business here just on word of mouth.”

Tire sales and service account for a good chunk of the operation, Randy said, with a large inventory of brand names such as Bridgestone, Firestone, Goodyear, and many more.

Oil changes, brakes, shocks, wheel alignments, air conditioning, and other automotive repairs are also done in the 40,000-square-foot building, which features 10 service bays and a detail area.

Part of the facility, Laurie said, is dedicated to utility trailers – Garamida Trailer Co.  Technicians sell and service a variety of Moritz utility trailers and truck bodies used primarily in farming.

Randy’s Tire also does work, she said, for city and county vehicles, the Crawford County Council on Aging, and for another big customer – the fleet operated by Hord Livestock in town.

Laurie, a former teacher at Holy Trinity School, is vice president and office manager for the company.  She’s a native of Bucyrus and a 1979 Bucyrus High School graduate.

Randy, a 1976 Wynford grad, grew up in a family of farmers.  He learned his trade at several area firms and as a mechanic for five years at Outhwaite Tire on E. Mansfield Street.  He bought that business in 1998.

In 2003 the Scheffler’s decided to expand and purchased their current building, which had been vacant.  “We took a leap of faith,” Laurie said.  “I said to Randy if you think we can make a living of it, go for it.”

They immediately invested nearly $200,000 in improvements and, over the years, paved the parking lot and added a new roof.  The shop now has eight employees, including grandson Cedric Kemery.

Retention of employees has been a plus for the couple – and the operation, Laurie said.  “We don’t have a lot of turnover.  Once we get an employee they usually stay on a while.”

Just like the Scheffler’s, who have no plans to “re-tire.”