MILLEDGEVILLE – For the owner of Ewers Garage, family is not only part of the business’ history, it’s part of his philosophy.

The garage is going on its third generation in the Ewers family, and part of the reason for its continued success, says owner Todd Ewers, is the commitment to the kind of service he’d expect for his own family.

“We treat the vehicles as if they are our own,” Todd said. “If it needs something, we’ll let you know. We’re not going to sell you something that you don’t need.

“I just think if it was my daughter riding in that vehicle and they brought it in for an oil change and it needed other things done; I think, “What would I want that customer to know?’” he said.

Ewers Garage has been around for nearly a century, first opening its garage doors 95 years ago.

Todd purchased the business from his father Tom in 1995. Before that, Tom purchased the business at 8 E. Fourth St. from his father, William, in 1958, which is where it’s been since then.

Todd, 51, has expanded the building since purchasing it. He added a 900-square-foot office and waiting area in 1999. The business consists of four lifts, seven bays and is equipped with up-to-date diagnostic and repair equipment.

“We take care of people and we try to do it efficiently and get their vehicle back to them the same day if possible.”

Todd admits there are chains around the area that might be cheaper, but he believes his employees hold their work to a higher standard.

“I don’t try to compete with ... places like that – I can’t,” he said.

Services such as oil changes might cost more at his shop, but it’s worth it, he said. “We do a lot of things that they don’t when it comes to checking things,” Todd said. “One of the sayings I’ve had on my sign over the years was ‘Maintenance doesn’t cost, it pays.’”

Todd graduated from the Wichita Automotive and Electronics Institute in 1984 and is an ASE master certified technician.

In addition to working on vehicles, he also works with customers and manages the day-to-day operations of the business.

“I have to wear a lot of different hats,” he said.

Ewers Garage is a general repair shop that takes care of just about of customer’s vehicle needs, except for tires.

“We do everything from an oil change to an engine overhaul and everything in between,” Todd said.

Mark Conkrite, 43, has been working at Ewers Garage for 20 years as an auto technician and said he doesn’t plan on going anywhere.

“It’s a nice job,” Conkrite said. “It’s a very laid-back atmosphere. ... We do good work, and we treat people right”

Todd said they average about eight vehicles a day.

Three employees work in the shop and two employees in charge of office work.

“I’m lucky; I’ve got good employees. ... Don’t tell them I said that,” Todd said with a laugh. “Everybody knows their job, and they’re good at doing it.”

Todd said there’s a specific phrase he tries to live by, and instill in his employees, when it comes to his business.

“Treat our customers the way we would want to be treated,” he said.

EWERS GARAGE

Address: 18 East Fourth St., Milledgeville

Phone: 815-225-7151

Online: ewersgarage.com and on Facebook

Email: info@ewersgarage.com

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 8 a.m. to noon the first Saturday of the month