Blackwell's Garage closed its doors at 901 E. High St. in Jefferson City for the last time Oct. 1 after more than 90 years in business - 33 of those within one family.
"We were thinking about it for a while, then when our mechanics were ready to retire, we went ahead and closed," said Steve Korsmeyer, who owns Blackwell's Garage with his wife, LeAnn. He had planned for the garage to remain open through the end of this year, but when business slowed in early autumn - around a month before Korsmeyer was elected Cole County clerk - he moved up the closing date.
"It was very difficult. I still have a lot of good customers that try to get a hold of me," he said. "We're very thankful for all the community support over the years, and we're very blessed to have had a successful business for so many years and so many great customers."
Korsmeyer, along with brothers-in-law Steve, Greg and Van Rollins, purchased Blackwell's Garage from Korsmeyer's father- and mother-in-law, Bernie and Barbara Kempker, in 1987, and has worked there since 1981. The Kempkers purchased the business - located in the Jefferson City millbottom where the Secretary of State's Office building now stands - in 1978.
"It's been in our family ever since then," Korsmeyer said.
The original Blackwell's Garage opened in Jefferson City in 1921.
"The part of the business that I enjoyed was working with the public," Korsmeyer said. "Now, with my election to county clerk, that's something I'll get to keep doing."