Auto elements retailer open for 50 years close to State Faculty, PA

Patton Township

Greg Stoicheff sat with one leg crossed over the opposite as he spoke from a nook of his unbiased auto elements retailer, the identical place he known as dwelling for 2 years after he opened the enterprise.

The 73-year-old U.S. Military veteran lived in an workplace that measured 10 ft by 10 ft. The room’s assertion piece was a foldout sofa. It lacked pizazz, however that wasn’t a priority for somebody who described himself as a person of straightforward wants.

“I had some nice occasions with that. One night time I left the door open and the state police got here in. I’m laying there and I hear the door of the workplace open and I see there’s a flashlight that’s forged a shadow and I see a gun. I’m laying there considering, ‘Oh my God.’ I made positive to look the door after that,” Stoicheff mentioned with fun. “However I additionally caught a few burglars one night time. That was enjoyable. Stuff like you can’t purchase. You wouldn’t imagine the stuff I’ve gotten into. It’s unbelievable.”

Stoicheff’s Auto Components has been doing enterprise from 2131 N. Atherton St. for a half-century. The family-owned store opened in 1972, when the value of a brand new automobile sat at about $2,500 and a gallon of gasoline value lower than two quarters.

Stoicheff grew up in a household that operated an auto elements retailer in Mifflin County. He was drafted into the Military after highschool, served in Vietnam as a fight medic and returned after 21 months of service.

He was 22 when he opened on the finish of nowhere. Just a few of the buildings there right this moment had been there then.

“Once I assume again on what I may have purchased for what, I could possibly be a gazillionaire right this moment if I’d had the cash. Actually, I may have purchased from my property right here all the best way as much as Tire City for $80,000,” Stoicheff mentioned. “… Would’ve been a fairly good return, however that’s occurred up and down the road in every single place.”

On the identical time North Atherton Road grew into one of many largest business corridors in Centre County, many unbiased auto elements shops went the best way of the dinosaurs as nationwide restore retailers which have contracts with nationwide elements suppliers blossomed.

Stoicheff’s survived.

“Handle the shoppers you bought and so they’ll unfold the phrase that you simply’re good, particularly on the service finish,” Stoicheff mentioned with out hesitation.

Which means having the elements prospects want, after they want them and at a aggressive worth.

When one buyer requested for a fan belt and spark plugs for a 1943 Jeep, Stoicheff’s had them in inventory. One other requested for a set of piston rings for a 1922 Buick. Stoicheff didn’t have these in inventory, however knew precisely who to name to get them.

“Not many locations you are able to do that,” Stoicheff mentioned. “… An organization that’s run by a pc will present they solely offered one in every of them in two years, in order that they’re not going to inventory it anymore. Effectively, that’s a part of my edge competing in opposition to the large guys. I’ll inventory it, I’ll promote it.”

Components are the spine of the enterprise, however are only one piece of the method. Stoicheff’s can be an unbiased U-Haul supplier and a service and restore storage. It additionally offers and providers Husqvarna outside energy gear, together with small engines.

Stoicheff praised his late son, Tim, for serving to the about 6,000-square-foot store get into the garden and backyard business.

The shop has 4 staff, together with Stoicheff’s son Nick. Lucy, a previously stray cat that’s now the enterprise’ unofficial mascot, shouldn’t be on the payroll.

Stoicheff hopes to proceed working the shop till he’s 85. If his plans come to fruition, which means Stoicheff could have spent about three-quarters of his life to that time working the shop.

The plan is for Nick to take over.

“I’ve individuals are available right here waving cash at totally different occasions and I simply (inform them), ‘Take a stroll. I’m not .’ If I didn’t need to do what I’m doing, I’d have left way back. I take pleasure in it, I’ve household that’s going to take it over. I’m going to stroll away and die and it’s theirs and I don’t care and that’s superb. I’ve advised them, ‘The minute I stroll out the door, if you wish to put out the on the market signal I don’t care. I actually don’t. It’s your choice, not mine. I’m not deciding from the grave the way you do your life.’ That’s the best way my father was with us, that’s the best way I’ll be with my youngsters.”

Clients and would-be consumers alike shouldn’t anticipate a on the market on the enterprise anytime quickly. Nick Stoicheff mentioned his objective is to maintain the enterprise open till it turns 100, at which level he’d be 87.

“There’s no retiring at 60. I don’t see it occurring. I really feel like I’m following within the household footsteps. There’s no slowdown or cease with it. Does that keep that manner? Who is aware of, however that’s one thing that I look ahead to,” he mentioned. “… I don’t need to be the man that blows it.”

He later added: “If I can get to 100, superior. How wild would that be?”