Growth spurt

In 2019, after years of exponential business growth, B&B Auto Repair owner Bob Blanton officially took steps to expand and purchased the building and parking lot next to his original store.

After nearly 25 years in its first store, Blanton has failed to reach its full potential.

“The original space was not designed as a repair shop and we had one rack in front of the other,” says Blanton. “Honestly my biggest problem was keeping up with the pace. We were always booked two or three weeks in advance.

Now, with a full line of wall mounted racks for optimal workflow and space to hire an additional technician, Blanton has seen its business almost double in the new space.

A complete overhaul

Known locally as the Reindl Springs Building, the new building was originally built as a state-of-the-art facility in the early 1950s and previously housed one of the county’s oldest businesses. Blanton immediately got to work with major renovations.

“I had to completely redo everything: all the electricity, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, concreting, a new roof, new gutters. Just the full nine meters, ”says Blanton.

But it was the installation of the store’s glass block display cases that spurred Blanton’s inspiration.

Curb appeal

He started a mural project, hiring local artist Erica Russell to paint nine automotive and historic-inspired panels on the west side of the store.

Each panel pays homage to classic cars from decades past, including the ’53 Corvette, Trans Am, IROC Z-28 and Dodge Viper, as well as local landmarks. With the store located on one of Richland County’s main roads, the murals have become a treat for locals and passers-by.

Past to present

While Blanton couldn’t spare all of the ancient relics left behind in the WWII outpost (removing just 160,000 pounds of junk), he embraced the store’s history, preserving the elements of original building bones and incorporating vintage pieces into the client’s waiting room.

The store’s coffee bar was originally an old gas stove, a turn-of-the-century cash register adds character, and the former tenant’s original solid oak service desk has been brought back into service. Blanton’s daughter helped him complete the store’s industrial chic atmosphere with the addition of vintage, automotive-inspired plants, rugs and artwork to create a comfortable retreat where customers can wait. that their repairs are complete.