After 130 years in business, Bob and Joe Elsen’s auto repair shop started by their great-grandfather was forced to permanently close after the state of Minnesota released plans to demolish their building for a highway expansion, Southside Pride reports.
Originally founded in 1891 as a blacksmith shop, the business became a gas station and auto repair shop in 1929 as the need for blacksmiths decreased and the demand for vehicles grew. When the shop wasn’t able to comply with new EPA regulations in the 1980s to protect soil from gasoline pollution, it became solely a repair shop.
Bob and Joe started working at the shop as teens 50 years ago pumping gas, cleaning windshields, and checking customers’ oil levels. For the past 30 years, they have co-owned the shop.
After learning of plans to widen Interstate Highway 494 that will require the area to be bulldozed, the brothers had no choice but to close the business. On April 14, the Elsens said their last goodbyes to their customers.
“I’m going to miss our customers,” Joe said. “They’ve been coming in lately, bringing us doughnuts and cookies. I’m going to miss seeing them all. I’d really like to thank everyone–the customers, the suppliers, our vendors and our employees over the years.”
