Though the business inside has grown and expanded, the shop that houses Traxler Power and Equipment has remained largely unchanged for decades.
Now, that shop stands in the shadow of something much larger — its replacement.
After years of aspiring to build a bigger shop, owners Jeff and Ann Traxler broke ground on the project in December. They hope to move into the new building and begin tearing down the old one this fall, but that’s only the first phase of a larger plan.
In addition to the shop, which they purchased in 2002, the Traxlers own the NAPA Auto Parts on main street. Once the new shop is up and running, they’ll begin phase two — a new building to house NAPA right where their current shop stands, bringing their businesses onto one property. They hope to finish that project next year.
The Traxlers credit the abnormally mild winter with speeding up construction.
In total, Jeff estimated their facilities will occupy 11,000 square feet once complete.
“It’s always been our dream to have the two businesses in one location. We could just be more efficient,” said Ann.
The new NAPA building will also include space for Traxler Law, the practice Ann currently runs out of their home. Ann became an attorney in the fall of 2017, after attending law school part-time while working at the shop. She looks forward to consolidating to one office, and no longer having to do legal work at her kitchen table.
The new shop will give them more room to work on larger vehicles and potentially hire another mechanic, while giving the business an updated look.
The project will also make their work at NAPA easier. Currently, trucks have to drop deliveries behind the store and employees have to drag it inside across gravel. The new building will streamline that process with a loading dock. Jeff also noted the new location will offer a better parking situation. The location offers limited street parking, which is often occupied due to the high-traffic liquor store next door.
The change will be especially beneficial for Levi, the Traxlers’ son, who works at the shop and NAPA, splitting his work day between the two.
“My brain rocks back and forth all day long,” he joked.
Levi and his three brothers spent many days working in the shop after finishing up school across the street.
Between father and son and their longtime mechanic Justin, the crew has years of experience with a variety of machinery — and their “extensive” library of service manuals doesn’t hurt. Still, Jeff maintained he learns something new every day.
“Jeff never says no to somebody. There’s maybe only one or two pieces of equipment in our whole time here that he really had to say ‘I can’t do it, I can’t fix that.’ Otherwise, we figure it out,” said Ann.
Jeff had training and experience as a mechanic before he and Ann decided to pursue business ownership.
When they first came to town, the shop was still Rixe Repair, owned by Vern and Anita Rixe. The Traxlers didn’t know them well, but they approached them about a possible sale.
“We were looking for a business to buy. We had stopped in and approached Vern and he wanted some time to think about it, so he took some time. One day he showed up at our doorstep and said ‘I’m ready to sell. Are you interested?’” recalled Ann.
The Traxlers initially focused on farm equipment, like Vern before them, but gradually expanded into much more — from “four wheelers to forklifts,” as Ann put it. Jeff and Levi prefer vintage repair, but they work on plenty of newer machinery too.
While the Traxlers have plenty of technical knowledge, Ann said the main takeaway from decades in business is the importance of “treating everybody with respect and honesty.”
Above all, she’s happy the new expansion will allow them to keep doing business the community they’ve called home for years.
“In general, we’re just really happy with this community. When we looked to build this building, we looked at some other options and decided we really wanted to stay here and work with the people we have this long history with,” said Ann.
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