By Angela Caito

Downtown Elizabethton is filled with a variety of shops that include coffee shops, clothing and apparel, hobbies and crafts, antiques and collectibles and even cosmetics and self-care but did you know you can also find quality car repair services right in the heart of downtown? One of those repair shops is B&T Automotive Repair and 12 years ago, Troy Cook took the cash he had in his wallet as well as money made from a van that he sold, and he chose to open the shop in downtown Elizabethton.

The shop is a gem in the heart of downtown and those who have stopped in for repair work can tell you that unlike some of the larger, corporate owned repair shops across the state, B&T Automotive Repair is a place that will make you feel right at home.

The owner, Troy Cook, is a person who cares about his customers and while he enjoys making money and paying the bills just like we all do, he also wants to make sure that every car he services is safe to drive and that he charges a fair price for the repair work. All too often in this day and age, you see repair shops who go by the book when it comes to charging a customer a rate for service and whether the mechanic spends a few minutes or several hours on a job, many companies today will overcharge for even a simple service.

Cook not only charges a fair price for his auto repair work, but occasionally, he even tosses in a free oil change or some other service just to make sure his customer is happy. Downtown Elizabethton is a community built on the morals and standards of people who care about those they serve, and Cook is a business owner who cares about his customers.

A down to earth man, Cook will take time to sit down and discuss the auto repair work needed with his customers. He’ll even chat about the weather, local music and events and other happenings going on in the area. Best of all, his conversation and caring attitude humanizes the auto repair work he performs for his customers, and when people feel like they matter, they tend to be loyal customers.

When asked how he can perform services without charging more than he does, Cook replied with, “I’ve got a lot of trust in people and sometimes that gets me in trouble (financially) but on the other hand, I’d rather that trust get me in trouble than to see somebody lose their life over something faulty on their car.”

When Cook first opened his doors 12 years ago, he placed a full-page ad in the Elizabethton Star Newspaper, and thanks to that first big ad and plenty of word of mouth referrals from satisfied customers, his business has been steady throughout the years. While he has slow days just like any other business owner, especially near the holidays, he makes up for that in the spring and summer when people are steadily pouring in to have their car serviced for those spring break beach trips and summer family vacations.

Need a radiator flush or to have your AC serviced? Now is the perfect time of year to have those services taken care of to keep you and your car cool all summer long.

Cook said that his customers are the best thing about having a vehicle repair shop in downtown. Many of B&T Automotive Repair Shop’s customers are older and when they come in, Cook says they often know exactly what they want, and they have been visiting his shop long enough to know they can trust him to fix their car for them.

Nothing beats trust when it comes to a reliable auto repair shop, and if you need repair work done in the downtown area of Elizabethton, be sure to check out B&T Auto and Mr. Troy Cook. Whether you have a minor repair or a major overhaul, the conversation you’re going to get makes time spent in his shop well worth the visit.

To schedule repair services at B&T Auto Repair in downtown Elizabethton:

114 S. Lynn Ave.

Elizabethton, TN 37643

Phone: (423) 543-5998

Angela Caito is a freelance writer, film producer and publicist who writes a variety of columns nationwide. Sidewalk Stories is an initiative of the steering committee of the Main Street program and one that Angela is currently working on to help promote our downtown businesses. To contact Angela to be included in Sidewalk Stories you can email her at: angela@30dazeproductions.com