By C. Josh Givens
Dave Thompson Jr., received his start in the auto support business in 1986 with his father, David Sr., when the elder opened an auto service center in Cannelton.
“I was doing the job at Commonwealth Aluminum, aiding him out right before and following work, on weekends,” Thompson mentioned. “I had to make a choice, and chose to carry on with what we have currently.”
These days, Thompson operates Thompson Tire & Assistance Center in Lewisport, a place opened in 2006, and in mid-June opened a independent business – Papa T’s Car Areas – following doorway to the tire center at 45 Roberts Lane.
“We preferred to honor the legacy that my Dad developed for us,” Thompson said of his father, who passed absent in 2017. “He was recognized to all people as ‘Papa T,’ so that sounded just right for this business enterprise. We will continue on to construct upon what he commenced, and 1 working day the legacy will be left in the hands of my youngsters.”
Thompson stated the choice to open an automobile areas store manufactured feeling when he commenced talking with likely shoppers, specifically in the agricultural sector of Hancock County. The shop carries quite a few of the more compact parts and provides farmers may need to get a piece of tools back again up promptly.
“I wished to make absolutely sure we had the customized hydraulic hoses, oils, and lubrication that farmers may well want in a hurry,” Thompson mentioned. “Especially in farming, time is income, and I was explained to by a bunch of people today possessing the shop here is preserving them a prolonged excursion into Owensboro.”
The shop also carries several of the common car parts products drivers and shop foremen have arrive to count on, this sort of as oil and filters, wiper blades, fuses, and replacement elements.
“If there is some thing a purchaser demands, and we really don’t have it in stock, we can commonly have it listed here the next day,” Thompson said. “We saw that the persons of Hancock County needed someplace else to go for these automobile requirements, and I hope they will appreciate owning us listed here as a great deal as we enjoy serving them.”
The company is affiliated with Carquest, a nationwide automotive parts distribution community owned by Advance Auto Elements.
Thompson is functioning to establish associations with vehicle services facilities and garages, as well as increasing interactions with community industries he has constructed by means of the tire store. As nicely, employees will commence parts delivery providers in the foreseeable future.
“We are like a spouse and children close to here,” Thompson said. “Our people today are some of the finest areas people about, extremely educated in the small business.”
Papa T’s is staffed by Thompson’s daughter, Misty Thompson, along with Allen Popp and Mark Haney.
Hrs at the shop are from 8 a.m. right up until 6 p.m., Monday by means of Friday, and from 8 a.m. till 1 p.m., on Saturday. The shop is shut on Sunday. Papa T’s can be achieved by mobile phone at 270-295-6400.
“We glance forward to serving the local community, and want to hear from men and women what they need for us to carry,” Thompson reported. “We are studying each individual working day and completely ready to do what our shoppers need.”