LYNN — Pudgy’s Towing & Auto Repair will be closing for business after 57 years.
The beloved local business was known for its bright blue exterior paint job, its clever slogan, and most of all, its integrity.
“We did everything to please the customers. We did honest, quality repairs. That’s what kept us running,” Owner Tom Kasper said of Pudgy’s impact and reputation in Lynn.
Its catchphrase “Can’t budge? Call pudge” was conceived by Kasper’s father James, who was the shop’s original owner. “Pudgy” was Kasper’s father’s nickname growing up, not because of his stature, but because his toddler brother couldn’t pronounce the Polish word for “baby.”
Located on the corner of Pleasant Street and Alley Street, Pudgy’s “really took off” in 1977 after it moved from its original location on Chestnut Street and Western Avenue, according to Kasper. He also said the shop did “very little advertising” and relied on “word of mouth” from the community.
Kasper is retiring after selling the business to Patriot Depot, which will be taking over next Monday. Pudgy’s last day of operation will be on Thursday, and the announcement was made via social media this Monday.
“After much thought and consideration, we have decided to turn the page on this chapter of our family’s business. While we have made a lifetime of memories and friendships over the years, and it is difficult for us to move forward from something we have worked hard at for so long, we are excited for retirement and spending more time with our families, children, and grandchildren,” Kasper wrote on Facebook.
He continued, “While this will not be easy for me, it is time. To my family, customers, and friends, I thank you all sincerely. Most of all, to my crew, both present and past, we would not have made it to where Pudgy’s is today without you.”
Standing inside the cleaned out lobby, Kasper expressed his gratitude for front desk employee Brenda Dwyer for her organizational skills.
“Without her, I would’ve been in trouble,” he said.
Longtime Pudgy’s mechanics Rick Sholds, who will be retiring, and Ken Hannaford, who will be working at Patriot Depot, reflected on their time at the shop.
Sholds, who has been working at Pudgy’s for 30 years, said, “They valued honesty. They’ve been around forever. It was a good family business.”
Hannaford, who has been at Pudgy’s for 47 years, said, “We kept everything clean; it was a nice environment to work in with friendly people. Tom is like a brother to me. The whole family has always been good to me. It’s been a good part of the community.”
Kasper said, “It looks like a lot of people are going to miss us.”
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The tag line for Pudgy's Towing & Auto Repair of Lynn hangs on the side of the building.
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Ken Hannaford, who's worked at Pudgy's Towing & Auto Repair of Lynn for 47 years, works on a car in the shop.
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Brenda Dwyer has kept the office running smoothly at Pudgy's Towing & Auto Repair of Lynn for the last five years.
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Bob Kennedy sprays a bumper in the body shop of Pudgy's Towing & Auto Repair of Lynn.
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Longtime Pudgy's Towing & Auto Repair of Lynn mechanic Rick Sholds peforms a brake job on a car in the shop.
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Grease covers the gloved hand of longtime Pudgy's Towing & Auto Repair of Lynn mechanic Rick Sholds as he replaces the brakes on a car in the shop.
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A 1930 Ford Model A, which once belonged to James Kasper sits in the corner of Pudgy's Towing & Auto Repair of Lynn.
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After 57 years, Pudgy's Towing & Auto Repair of Lynn has been sold to a new owner.
