Bee Line Service, a family-owned auto repair shop on Norton Street in Mount Vernon, was in business for 62 years before closing this year.

Mike Grubaugh, whose father, James Grubaugh, started the business along with Ronald "Red" Carpenter, described the decision to close as "bittersweet."

It was prompted by health issues, Grubaugh told the Mount Vernon News.

He grew up in the shop, which specialized in alignments, brakes and undercarriage work.

"Dad and Red, they had a gas station for five years before starting Bee Line," Grubaugh said. "Then they went into the alignment business. They tutored me along the way. I spent about 50 years doing that."

After Carpenter passed away, Grubaugh and his father ran the business for many years.

"He was my best friend," Grubaugh said of his father. 

Grubaugh's brother, Doug, joined the business as well. 

Generations of Mount Vernon families were customers at the shop. 

"Their parents came, they came, their kids came," Grubaugh said. "For Dad, it wasn't all about the money. He cared about doing a honest day's job for an honest day's pay. We valued our customers."

James Grubaugh passed away in 2020. Grubaugh's son, who had worked in the business for 11 years, injured his back and was not able to work in the shop. Doug and Mike Grubaugh were both experiencing health issues.

"I"m 72, and my brother is 69," Grubaugh said. "For the most part, people don't realize how hard the work is. It's demanding. All that stuff is heavy. When you are 20, 30, 40 years old, that doesn't matter. But it gets to be much harder as you get older."

The Knox County Land Bank purchased the property for a new Knox Area Transit bus hub, Grubaugh said.

He has fond memories of Bee Line.

"I enjoyed working there with my Dad, my son and my brother all at the same time," he said.