Step back in time and make your car like new at Holland’s Paint & Body

By John Underwood / john@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 1/24/18

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — When you roll up on the new Holland’s Paint & Body in Robertsdale, it’s like stepping back in time.

Both inside and out, the business is decorated like a full-service …

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Step back in time and make your car like new at Holland’s Paint & Body

Posted

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — When you roll up on the new Holland’s Paint & Body in Robertsdale, it’s like stepping back in time.

Both inside and out, the business is decorated like a full-service station from the 1950s. Outside, there are old-fashioned gas pumps and signage, while inside, it is decorated with signage on the walls, an old-fashioned counter and even a mannequin in the corner dressed like a service station attendant ready to help with your every need.

It is all completely by design.

“I’ve always been fascinated with the service stations of the 40s, 50s and 60s,” said owner Bobby Holland. “I’ve always looked for and purchased old signage for the shop. I just like the look of it.”

When he found gas pumps bearing the old “Gulf” logo online three years ago, he said, he knew one day he would do something with them. He began collecting items along similar lines and when the move from his original business on Alabama 59 south of Robertsdale to the new location at 18394 Krchak Lane he began working with an architect, Larry Ellison, “who made it all come to life.”

While the look of the business is old-fashioned, Holland said, he has gone to great lengths to ensure that the new facility is state-of-the-art.

“We put a lot of thought into the design of the repair shop to make it easier to access and better for the employees and the customers,” he said. “We’ve basically doubled our work space. We’ve widened each bay by 10 feet and it’s constructed to allow access from both sides making it easier to get in and out.”

While it is a better work environment, Holland said, he and his eight employees bring the same commitment to the customers that evolved when he opened his first shop in 2003.

“We offer full collision and auto repair, along with a full-service mechanic,” he said. “I want this to be a one-stop shop for all of your automotive needs.”

A native of Silverhill, Holland said auto repair was not the family business, but he got bitten by the bug at an early age.

“Much of what I know about the auto repair business I learned from Pete (Kulicka) at Dixie Auto Paint and Body,” he said. “He’s the one that gave me my first job and he really took me under his wing, teaching me all he could about auto repair and about the business.”

After working for several auto repair places around the area, Holland was able to lease the old Epp’s property on Alabama 59 in Robertsdale where he served the community for over 13 years.

While he has always been in the auto repair business, Holland said, offering mechanic’s services evolved over time.

“People were always coming into the shop, asking if we could fix something,” he said. “They knew we didn’t do that type of work, but they knew they could trust me to do it right and I would always try to find a way to help them. Eventually, I decided that we could do everything here. It’s not about the money. It’s about providing the best service that we can to help our customers.”

Two years ago, he and his wife got the opportunity to purchase the property on Krchak Lane, but it took a chance meeting in order to get the financing to make owning his own shop a reality.

“I went to three different banks trying to get a loan and just wasn’t making any headway,” he said. Then one day, Chad Yarbrough came into the shop to have some repairs done, overheard a conversation and made him an offer.

“He said, ‘I think I can make this happen for you,’” Holland said. Turns out, Yarbrough is a loan officer with United Bank. “We got the financing and here we are today.”

Holland opened for business at his new location in December and held an open house in appreciation for his customers on Friday, Jan. 12. They are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information call 251-947-9630 or visit the Holland’s Paint & Body page on Facebook.