By GAIL OBER, LACONIA DAILY SUN
BELMONT — Smithers Automotive is the new name on the sign but for the customers who have been doing business atop Prescott Hill for years, new owner and long-time mechanic Tommy Smithers is a familiar face.
Smithers and his wife, Chrissy, purchased the former Jon Pike Sales and Service shop a few months ago after Pike chose to retire from that business after hip replacement surgery.
"I got some time to slow down and smell the flowers," said Pike, "And then decided I needed to take some more time and smell a few more flowers."
Smithers has been the top mechanic at the shop since Pike started it in 2009. He has also been with Pike and Neil McGreevy since Pike closed his shop on Seavey Road in 2000 and joined the former McGreevy's Buick, Pontiac, GMC, Mazda dealership.
When McGreevy sold to AutoServ in 2007, Smithers said Pike, Neil McGreevy and he bought the business to its current location and in 2008, Pike purchased it from McGreevy and Smithers stayed on as head mechanic.
For Smithers and his wife, it's all about being a friendly and well-known local business.
He said Monday he grew up in Gilmanton and, because its a small town, he said he knew everyone and they knew him.
He said he actually grew up repairing antique automobiles and gradually learned to repair just about anything with an engine or a motor.
"I work on everything from lawnmowers to tractors," he said.
But for the general motoring public, Smithers is a General Motors, Mazda and ASA certified auto mechanic. His shop is equipped with all of the latest diagnostic tools and computer software for working on just about anything.
He said one of their medium-range goals is to get a car sales license but said he wants to get the mechanical and repair side operating first.
"This is the kind of local shop were I know everyone's first name and they know mine," said Smithers.
Tommy Smithers checks the tire pressure on a car in his new shop on Prescott Hill Monday morning. (Gail Ober/Laconia Daily Sun)
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.