Shop View: Ashland Garage
Operation Restoration
The building that houses Ashland Garage was built in the 1950s. When Nathan and Dana Roady purchased the business, the building had a ’70s and ’80s feel to it, which didn’t fit the atmosphere they were trying to create for their customers.
“Nothing says craftsmanship and honor and trustworthiness like a ’50s mechanic,” Nathan Roady, owner of Ashland Garage says of the inspiration for his business. “We wanted to build on that while maintaining the future of automotive repair.”
The Roadys wanted to restore the building to its original aesthetic, combining old-school charm with modern technology. The building itself was the inspiration.
True DIY
The doors in the waiting area were replaced and switched out for doors and hardware from the ’50s and the floor was stripped to its original state. For modern convenience, the shop has up-to-date equipment, efficient LED lighting and high-speed internet.
“Throughout the entire [restoration] process, we kept uncovering new treasures that had been hidden by a renovation in the 1970s, we just restored her to her former glory,” Nathan says.
Nathan did most of the work himself, including the custom bar that is made out of reclaimed wood.
A Welcoming Atmosphere
The design of the waiting area was inspired by coffee shops, Nathan said that his wife and co-owner of the shop, Dana, along with his sister, took charge of decorating the customer waiting area with a “work while you wait” mindset.
“Every automotive shop that I’ve ever been in, you didn’t want to be there. It wasn’t comfortable,” Nathan says.
Dana took inspiration from coffee shops that people use as a destination to get out of the house and do work or socialize. To set itself apart, Ashland Garage offers local coffee and pastries. The Roadys’ eldest daughter, who is a service advisor at the shop, bakes pastries and brings them in every other day. The ultimate goal, Nathan says, is to partner with a local bakery.
The Business of Antiquing
Since Dana was little, she’s gone antiquing, Nathan explains.
“My wife and her grandfather traveled around to find antiques when she was young and they would restore them—she’s continuing that tradition,” Nathan says.
Many of the decorations that are in the lobby are antiques. Currently, the Roadys are working on restoring a ’50s era gas pump that they plan on putting outside that will allow customers to pull up and put air in their tires— just like they did in the ’50s. Some of the vintage items in the lobby have even been donated by customers, as Ashland has gained a reputation. A few examples include an old Taxi tire from the ’50s and an old carburetor. One of Dana’s antique finds is displayed behind the front desk, a windshield wiper display from the ’30s.
SHOP: Ashland Garage LOCATION: Ashland, Va. OWNER/S: Nathan and Dana Roady SIZE: 4,000 square feet STAFF SIZE: 6 (2 in the front, 4 in the back) AVERAGE MONTHLY CAR COUNT: A little over 300 ANNUAL REVENUE: $500,000
