VALDOSTA—Ben Neal fixed cars out of an old gas station at the corner of Ashley Street and University Drive for more than two decades.

Neal even kept the old Citgo Quik Lube sign in place when he purchased the building in 1995 from then-owner Harold Dixon. He worked under Dixon for a year before he bought the building.

Through the years, Neal doubled the number of car repair bays to four but otherwise, change was slow for Ben’s Auto Repair. Cars regularly packed the parking lot, and Neal said he liked what he had going.

“I’m a visual person. I had a vision for the place,” said Wendy Neal, his wife.

She found a new location for Ben to both expand and change the overall look and feel of his business.

“It took three months to convince him to check it out,” Wendy said. “Now, he’ll tell you there’s not enough space.”

Once Ben bought the building, it would take months of renovation and other considerations, but Wendy saw potential in the old Register Tire store down the street from Ben’s then-current location.

Ben’s Tire and Auto Repair shop held its grand opening last September. The new store opened with tile flooring, wood paneling on the walls, an office, a customer bathroom, restored vintage 1920s decorations and other additions.

While the building’s original structure remains, with its columns and glass storefront, Wendy redesigned almost the entire building, Ben said.

Wendy said her father, Johnny Swilley, and brothers Tim, Danny and Kevin Swilley also helped with the physical building work.

Now, after nearly 22 years in business, Ben’s Tire and Auto Repair appears prominently on the front of his shop. The shop includes eight car repair bays, double the number of the old location, and Ben has nine full-time employees, more than double his previous four. Additionally, business has nearly tripled that of his old location, Ben said.

Wendy said she has worked as a designer since 2001, but Ben’s shop was new for her. She said she mostly designs homes, along with some doctors and lawyers offices.

Ben said he learned how to repair cars living on a farm in Brooks County.

“I always loved cars. I just learned from Dad (Butch Neal) and Grandad (Jack Ellenberg), hands on, watching them do it,” he said.

Farm vehicles were different from cars, but he was learning some skills that would cross into car repair. Ben said he began with oil changes, car washes and brake repairs and currently handles engines, transmissions, air conditioning, brakes, alignment and other repairs.

Ben’s Tire and Auto Repair won Best Brake Shop by popular vote in The Valdosta Daily Times 2017 Best of South Georgia.

His store also sells tires, including BF Goodrich and Michelin.

Ben’s Tire and Auto Repair is located at 2183 N. Ashley St. Hours are 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The store can be contacted by calling (229) 242-8777.