MANSFIELD — Norris Auto Repair, 1281 S. Trimble Rd., promises quality service at fair prices — but it will also be a family focused shop.
Tim Norris, a third-generation technician, has 20 years of experience and a lifetime of memories working on cars with his father, Tim Norris Sr.
When his father died of cancer, Norris said he had to leave the business because it was too hard to work without his father.
“I got out of the business for about a year and a half; I worked at Ohio Mutual Insurance Group,” he said. “Sitting at a desk for a year and half was not my calling, but it was needed.”
One day, Norris recalled heading to Goodwill to drop off some items when he stopped by to visit a Fryend — Andy of Andy’s Auto Repair. Just before Thanksgiving, Norris said he had half a deal in place to take over the repair shop, allowing Andy to retire.
January 11 was Norris’ first day, and he said he has tried to make his dream come true ever since.
“This wasn’t something I anticipated; I knew the cost of starting and getting in the door. But I get to work with my wife, (Randi) we work as a team.”
Norris said not many changes will be made in the transition from Andy’s to Norris Auto Repair. Norris said he wants to continue working with foreign cars but can also repair domestic brands.
Norris has retained Richard Fry who worked with Andy for 21 years and has over 50 years of auto repair including work with the Army during the Vietnam War. Fry said he has been working on cars since he was 14 years old.
“I’m retired; what I did for Tim was I said, ‘Look, I know how hard it is to start a business, you’ve got to get your feet planted on the ground and (I’ll) help you get going,” Fry said. “Once we get rolling, we can sit down and talk. I don’t want a full-time job anymore.”
State Senator Larry Obhof came to the ribbon cutting to show his support for the community. He said it’s important people invest in the community.
“Small businesses really are the backbone of Ohio’s economy,” Obhof said. “I think it is important for me and the mayor (Tim Theaker) to show we are proud of them, the hard work they have put in, and the money they have invested. We wish them well.”
Theaker agreed.
“It’s true. It’s always very nice to have new businesses or a transition of one business to another so you don’t lose a support base or an employment base,” Theaker said. “Because the employment base is what keeps the economy going.”
Norris said having his family name on the door is a reminder of the good times he and his father had. Norris said he brought is father’s ashes to the shop, and his father’s tool box which is displayed with a photo of him along the back wall of the shop.
