Shop View: Chumbley’s Auto Care

Walking into Chumbley’s Auto Care in Indianola, Iowa, is like a time warp to the 1950s. A Coca-Cola hutch cooler graces the entryway where fountain drinks invite guests to pull up a cherry-red and white vinyl chair or barstool. An old gas pump and air-filling machine perched atop a tire end table pay homage to the way things used to be while the motto, “Good service never goes out of style” reminds patrons the ways of yesterday may be gone, but good customer service is not a thing of the past.

Outside, a neon sign is anchored by another rooftop gas pump while the red and white color scheme wraps the 10-bay building in a clean, crisp glow that welcomes customers to stop by just to say hello.

“Since Jerrica and I took over in 2023, we haven’t made any changes,” Owner Keegan Niccum says of the 66-year-old shop he and his wife purchased from then-owner Tim Davison. “We kept everything—the same feel, the same look, most of the same employees, that same hometown feel. You know the saying: ‘Don’t fix what’s not broke.’ So, we just kept it the same.”

Niccum originally joined Chumbley’s in 2008, helping out wherever he could and learning as much as possible. Instead of taking over and making changes for the sake of change when he took over, Niccum embraced the foundation that was already there and focused on the critical role the shop has played for dozens of employee families and generations of locals.

“The shop started in 1957, and I’m the third-generation owner. It’s been through three different families now,” Niccum says. “The biggest thing for me is keeping the shop local so a big outfitter doesn’t come in and purchase us. I wanted to keep the employees grounded in the community and give them the opportunity to work at a local shop rather than a chain store.”

Keeping it Local

Working as the second-in-command to the previous owner for over a decade gave Niccum a deeper understanding of the logistics required to successfully run the business, and it allowed him to set up the shop to make his eventual takeover even smoother. It also cemented just how critical it is to foster a close relationship with the local community.

“Indianola is a very tight-knit community,” Niccum explains. “They are huge supporters of the idea of ‘supporting local.’ During some of the toughest times, like during COVID, the community really supported local businesses. I put a lot of money back into the community through local charities, baseball clubs, food drives, and things like that. This Christmas, we even gave a car away. I try to give back because the community supports me 100%.”

In the waiting room, black-and-white photos not only march through time but emphasize the fact that the shop served witness to the community’s history with photos of a smiling police officer at the counter of the establishment and early-model cars and tow trucks serving as some of the earliest customers.  

Rather than coasting on the existing reputation and community support, the Niccums and their team are dedicated to providing the best service possible, which includes going above and beyond to provide a welcoming and impressive environment.

“I’m proud of the whole facility from the front to the back,” Niccum says. “Our employees take pride in the service that we offer. The technicians keep the bays clean; they keep their areas clean. There’s not a place you can go in our shop and find a spot that the employees don’t take care of.”

What Success Looks Like

What sets the Niccums apart as owners is how they view growth. Their focus isn’t on setting up dozens of locations or finding ways to charge customers more. Instead, they aim to foster growth within their employees and within their community—growth that builds upon decades of accomplishments and achievements to create a better future for the next generation.

“My No. 1 goal as an owner is to be able to help raise families and see the employees’ kids grow up, to have enough support in the shop to see these families grow and develop,” he says.

Inheriting nearly 70 years of history may sound like a burden to some business owners, but it’s the opposite for Niccum. The decades of service serve as both inspiration and as a guiding light, day in and day out.

“Chumbley’s is a staple in the community of Indianola,” he says. “It’s always been looked at as the place to go to get your car worked on, whether it’s a tire repair, oil change, or a full engine replacement. I don’t look at the legacy as pressure on my shoulders at all. I come into the office every day, unlock the door, and get to do something I truly enjoy doing every day.”