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Monday, April 19, 2010

A Visit to the Bug Shop

A newcomer to Blacksburg or a visitor with car trouble may not think about driving two miles out of  Blacksburg on Harding Road to get help. But local folks have been making the trip for years to The Bug Shop or Wright's Garage as it was originally known. While the new name indicates a speciality it implies a narrow customer base which is inaccurate. Jewel Albert and his knowledgeable mechanics work on cars and trucks of all makes.

One of my fondest memories of my boyhood neighbors was Arthur Wright, the original proprietor of Wright's Garage.  Mr. Wright had been badly disfigured by a fire when he was a small child to the point that you couldn't see his smile. But only a short conversation would reveal to you a happy man with a smile in his heart. He and his boys provided reliable service at a reasonable price. You generally got more than a repair when you visited the shop. There always seemed to be lots of laughter and in-fun-picking that didn't necessarily stay in the family. The Wrights would greet you with a smile and try to let you leave with a grin or a laugh.

Jewel and his crew seem to carry on the tradition of the building in which they work. They know about customer service and practice it with a smile.

My parents live about 1/2 mile up the road from the Bug Shop. Several years back, Dad fell in the garden and couldn't get up by himself. Mother couldn't help him so what did she do? She called the Bug Shop! They didn't need a wrecker but Jeff was there in a flash to get Dad up and running ( walking) again. Everybody needs that kind of neighbors.

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