Bob’s Southside Auto Service closes

<< Back to archives | Tuesday, November 14, 2006

It has served Fairhaven for over 50 years and it closed today.  Left to right - Al, Bob and RC give us a wave good by as they pack up their stuff and move out.  The property has been sold and the future is unknown.  Bob’s Southside Service is named after Bob Middleton who owned it from the 50s until he sold it to RC in the 70s.  They serviced any type of car or truck and for many years were the Richfield and then the Arco fuel station.  They specialized in VW repairs for decades - with a special room for working on the engines.

In recent years the fellows have gotten more into selling gold prospecting equipment - as any of us know who have brought our cars to them for servicing.  Metal detectors competed with fan belts for a hanging spot on the walls.  They will continue this business from a new store location on the north side of town. 

We won’t wax poetic here, but it is too bad that we are losing our only auto service shop.  John Erickson services German cars at his shop down by the waterfront on McKenzie and there is the Parkway Chevron by the freeway - but we will probably not have another service shop in our Historic District.  It will seem strange with them gone.  It is strange to be writing this.  I will bring you news of future plans for this prime location when I can.