BUCYRUS — For generations, Fisher’s Auto Parts has been family-owned and operated.

The store that opened at 238 S. Sandusky Ave. in 1952 is still going strong today.

“My uncles, Paul and Johnny, opened the store after running a service station in Middletown. They learned that Bucyrus was an open market for auto parts so they made the decision to open a store here,” said Bob Schmidt, who came to Bucyrus to work for his family in 1954. “I was still in high school when they opened.”

Schmidt said he and his wife married that same year and within a week, moved to Bucyrus.

“I worked for Paul and Johnny at all three stores they once owned, which included Bucyrus, Upper (Sandusky) and Galion,” Bob said.

The brothers purchased the JK Myers Department Store that closed in 1952.

“I came up and helped them get the store ready. It was winter, there was no heat and we slept on the counters in sleeping bags,” Bob said.

The two men were brothers of Bob’s mother, Millie.

“Johnny died in 1976. Paul ran the business until 1990, when I bought it along with my two sons, Greg and Larry. My boys and I built the business. It was supposed to be a family venture with both my sons, but then Greg passed away,” said Schmidt, as a look of sadness swept across his face.

Schmidt, and his son Larry continued pushing forward, though, and have maintained the business that is one of the oldest still remaining on Sandusky Avenue.

“We eventually bought the building next door at 238 N. Sandusky Ave. and expanded,” Schmidt said. “We kept the business local and kept all the help when we took over. Two of our employees have been here for about 30 years,” Larry said.

One of those employees is Jim Fisher, a first cousin to Schmidt and son of original co-owner, Johnny.

“I enjoy the business so I stayed on to work for Bob and Larry,” Fisher said.

Bob said he and his sons went through a lot over the years to keep growing the business.

“Around 2000, when construction of the new courthouse addition was underway, the big sign in front of the building fell off onto the sidewalk. Thank goodness it happened about 2 in the morning so no one was injured,” he said.

Schmidt said during the blizzard of 1978, the fire department came to his home on Parcher Road to pick him up.

“They needed parts for their trucks and I had to help keep the snow plows going with parts. You think you are going to have a break during a blizzard, but not in this business,” Bob said with a chuckle.

“We still work with places like that, providing them with parts. We also work with other businesses such as Ohio Auto Parts.”

Larry said the auto parts business has changed over the years.

“It is much more complicated now for people to work on their own vehicles. Everything is computerized, so the type of parts we sell has changed. Also, there are no service stations anymore,” Larry said.

Larry said he and his dad appreciate the loyalty of their employees and customers over the years.

“We have great employees, and customer service is always our No. 1 priority. Without them, we wouldn’t have a business,” Larry said.

For information, call the store at 419-562-4365.