Donald “Don” Dickey, Sr., who was co-owner with his father-in-law of the D&D Sunoco’s gas stations in Lock Haven until they closed, officially began this business in 1978 with the help of his family. Together, they built the garage literally from the ground up.

“We all built it — my grandpap, my dad, my brother and myself. Other than the block work and the garage door, we built everything ourselves. We even put the roof on — I’d never be able to do that again. It was a family thing, that’s what was nice about it. We never had to go looking for work, it found us. Once we got started it just went from there,” said Don Dickey, Jr.

Don and his brother, Dave, ran the garage themselves after Don, Sr. passed away in 2009.

“Dad was a hard person not to like. (People) loved him to no end. He always had time for you, he treated everyone like they were his own. That’s just who he was,” said Don.

PHOTO PROVIDED Donald “Don” Dickey, Jr. and Anton Kukharev are pictured shaking hands.

Don said they relied on the loyalty of their customers and word of mouth to bring in business to the garage.

“We never had any trouble. Treat people right, they’ll be back,” said Don.

The thing Don said he would really miss is the connection with his customers. Above all, Don wanted to thank those who have kept the business booming over the years.

“Without the customers, we wouldn’t have been (in business.) (We served) three generations. We worked on one customer’s car, and then their kids’ cars and their kids’ kids’ cars,” said Don.

With the two brothers getting older and with Don having shoulder problems, he decided it was time to pass the business to someone who could take care of it.

PHOTO PROVIDED Don’s Garage in Mill Hall is pictured.

That person turned out to be Anton Kukharev, owner of Absolute Auto Repairs and Sales, LLC. in Port Matilda, who is the new owner of the garage.

Kukharev founded Absolute Auto in the beginning of 2008, and has slowly grown his business over the years; he plans to bring his experience at Absolute to the new location in Mill Hall.

Much like his father, Don has been described as “someone you can count on” and is very welcoming to everyone he meets. He said when he met Kukharev, the man “fit right in.”

“Donny and I met maybe six months ago, and it’s like we’ve been friends for a long time,” said Kukharev.

According to Kukharev, he plans to modernize the garage’s practices with the use of computers — something Don didn’t use.

“We never had a computer. Everybody says ‘how about I shoot you an email’ and I would tell them you have to give me a call or stop in,” Don said.

Kukharev says the shop will be text message and email friendly, and will have a website eventually. All repairs will be made by appointment with hopes of your vehicle being finished same-day.

The garage will also have updated repair options, such as digital vehicle condition reports that allow the owner of the vehicle to see in real time what is going on with the vehicle.

All repairs will be approved by the customer, with financing options available should you want to follow through with their recommendations.

“Our technicians do quarterly training with online classes they constantly have to take and update their education. (We want to have) honest and reliable service — we’re going to recommend what you need done, but we’re never going to use high pressure sales. It’s your choice, your car. My job is to recommend and let you know what’s going on,” said Kukharev.

Don praised Kukharev’s work ethics, claiming that the business was going to be in good hands.

Though Kukharev has plans for modernizing the facility — many of which have already been put in place – he assures everyone that traditions and the same attitude will stay.

One tradition that will persevere through the changes is Don’s group of regular visitors.

For decades a group of locals including Steve Gardner, Chip and Barbara Harry, Milton “Milt” Geyer, Brian Mann, Tom Miller, Thomas “Bun” Walker, Gary Geyer, Gary Jones, Tina Dickey, Renee Dickey and Dean Mackey have all been getting together at the garage after hours.

Their after hour “hang outs” include snacks, good drinks and great company; a tradition that will continue at the same table where it has been for decades. Their group has now expanded to include Kukharev and his wife, Julie.

“Donny was concerned I would come in and (kick everyone out.) That thought never even crossed my mind. They’ve been here 50 years… These are good guys. I felt right at home,” said Kukharev.

“Anton is a great guy, an intelligent man and he fits right in,” said Gardner, “What more could you ask for? We’ve been doing this evening thing forever, since we were a lot younger, and Anton says, ‘you guys keep coming.’ He’s a lot like we are.”

“We didn’t know where we were going to go. We thought as soon as the new owner came in, we were out.” said Barbara, “We tried to think of somewhere we could go as a group and still stay together. Then he said we don’t need to go anywhere.”

Countless memories have been made in the garage over the years, many of which were shared around the table as the group of friends reminisced.

Though ownership has changed, memories will continue to be made at the Old Don Dickey’s Garage, now Absolute Auto.

“It’s been a good ride,” said Don, “But it’s time.”