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Old garage gets new ownership
BY GINA HAMILTON • CONTRIBUTING WRITER
 | | Dale Thompson Jr. holds the new diagnostic computer he'll use for trouble shooting car problems at his Millboro Springs Garage. (Recorder photo by Gina Hamilton) |
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MILLBORO SPRINGS - After commuting to work in Stuarts Draft for more than 12 years, Dale Thompson Jr. has found a way to work close to home. He is the new owner/operator of the Millboro Springs Garage at the intersection of Routes 39 and 42, where he offers service and repairs on American cars and imports, on small engines such as lawn mowers, and state inspections on vehicles.
While Thompson rents the building from Len Foutz, he purchased the garage inventory and supplies from former owner Sam Burke, who retired at the end of October after 17 years in business at the location.
Buying the business operation was "one of my major reasons for wanting to come home," Thompson said. He previously worked as diesel truck mechanic for the McKee Foods Corp., which is best known for its Little Debbie snack cakes, at the Stuarts Draft plant.
Now at 32, this Bath County native and graduate of Bath County High School is able to live and work on his home turf.
 | | A new coat of paint greets clients at the Millboro Springs Garage, and Dale Thompson Jr., who now operates the business. (Recorder photo by Gina Hamilton) |
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Thompson brings extensive training and experience to the business. Beginning in high school, he had three years of automotive training at the Mertz Vocational Center, then continued his education in automotive and heavy duty technician training (for tractor-trailers) at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond.
"Even with McKee's, I was always doing side jobs," Thompson said. "I love working on cars." He said he and his dad, Dale Thompson Sr., used to work on vehicles when he was growing up and they once restored a 1948 Chevy. His dad, and mom Elizabeth, also live in Millboro Springs. Thompson and his wife, Jessica, have two children, Tyler, age 7, and Emily, 9 months.
On Monday, he was busy organizing the shop. He also offers tire sales and repair, air conditioning work, and just about any minor automotive repair, but not engine or transmission overhauls. He has purchased a special computer that can show electronic trouble codes when hooked up to a vehicle engine to diagnose problems toward making repairs, such as when the check-engine light stays on.
The garage is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. Thompson can be reached there by calling (540) 997-0004. He thanked his dad and a friend, Tracy Williams, for spending four days from daylight to dark last week cleaning up the inside of the shop and clearing brush outside at the edge of the parking lot. The grand opening was held on Monday, Nov. 5.
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