By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
The landscape at the former site of Spencer’s Landscaping has undergone a facelift as a new business has set up shop at the Plymouth Street location.
After winning the jackpot on a scratch off lottery ticket in January, Levi Rowe invested his money into a new hometown business, Four Aces Auto Care, which opened just this past month.
“At the time I had lived across from Spencer’s Landscaping and my dad said it was for lease,” Rowe said. “My dad has been a huge inspiration in my life. He has helped me make good decisions, and helped me out when I made bad ones.”
After leasing the former landscaping business’ base of operations, Rowe changed the business from landscaping to his passion in life – working on cars – and rechristened the place Four Aces Auto Care.
“The name Four Aces is inspired from playing poker games,” Rowe explained. “Outside of working on cars, I really enjoy playing the game.”
Rowe recalled where his passion for tinkering on trucks and cars came from.
“I have a big background and upbringing, I suppose you could say. My dad was a union pipe fitter, and always had a new motorcycle or car, and I spent all my time in the garage as a kid,” Rowe said. “When I was 10 years old, my first bike, I tore it apart before I rode it much.”
Rowe noted what work his auto repair shop will be doing.
“We do detailing, from your basic wash and vacuum, all the way up to waxing and buffing, then we do repair too, as far as oil changes and brake services. We really don’t do transmission or body work, but anything else we will.”
Rowe explained that the experience and responsibility of owning his own business is his favorite aspect of his operation so far.
“Being a business owner is really a great experience, especially being young,” Rowe noted. “You learn so many things about responsibility. I really like it.”
Rowe explained where he attained his mechanic education.
“A lot of it was self-taught, then going to Pioneer built more of a foundation and set it in stone for me,” Rowe noted.
According to Rowe, so far it has been the logistics of the job that has been the most difficult aspect.
“Scheduling has been the most difficult so far, because you get too many people, and it is tough working around their schedule, especially when you don’t know how long something will take tearing it apart and putting it back together,” Rowe said.
After the business takes off, Rowe explained that he hopes to be able to give back to the community that reached out to him.
“I would like to someday work with school kids, and show them what it is like being a mechanic,” Rowe said.
While doling out education, Rowe explained that he hopes to receive more education himself.
“I would like to go and get more education so I can get certifications to gain more business,” Rowe said.
Rowe explained his favorite car that he has worked on so far.
“It was a 2014 GMC truck for the owner of St. James Auto,” Rowe said.
Rowe explained how many employees he currently has on staff.
“We are working on getting some employees in. I guess you could call him my brother, John, has been helping me a lot, and then I have a buddy who went to Pioneer as well and he is going to be my first employee.”
Rowe noted that his shop will be using something called the All Data Program Utilization. The program will allow Rowe to speak with over 1,700 Master Certified Mechanics, who are on call through the program.
“Basically, if I have a problem that I can’t quite figure out I can get a hold of one of these guys,” Rowe explained. “After getting into contact with one of the mechanics, I can then post videos and pictures in real time, and they can assist in the issue that I am having.”
Currently Four Aces Auto Care is by appointment only by contacting 419-310-6733, but in the near future their operations will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.