Two new businesses one focused on auto sales and the other focused on auto repair have opened at 740 S. Janesville St.

Milton Auto Sales LLC is owned by Harold and JoAnn Estep of Milton. Links Auto Repair LLC is owned by their grandson, Link Decker Jr.

The businesses, though they are located in the same building and complement each other, are separate.

For sale on the Milton Auto Sales lot are five vehicles. Estep says he plans to have about 10 used vehicles on the lot altogether.

His business philosophy, which he has handed down to his grandson, is to treat people fairly.

"When people are buying a vehicle, they should have confidence in the people theyre buying from," Estep said.

When it comes to buying vehicles to sell, Estep said he is picky.

"If theyve got a problem, I wont buy them," he said, adding he has a large knowledge of vehicles.

Estep first started H&J Auto Sales and Service in 1970 in Highland Park, Ill.

He and his wife moved to Milton in 1984 and the following year, he opened a night club at 4952 N. Wright Road (now Fagan Truck and Trailer). When that wasnt going as well as hed hoped, he built a shop in the back and again started H&J, which relocated to 406 W. High St.

Link Jr. grew up around vehicles and started helping his grandfather and father around the shop at a young age.

The Esteps in 2006 retired and sold the business to their then-son in law Link Decker, who today owns the business with his wife Deborah Rozelle.

Prior to starting his own business, Link Jr. worked at H&J.

The Milton native graduated from Milton High School in 2013, then graduated from the Blackhawk Technical College Automotive Technician program. He has Automotive Service Excellence certifications in suspension and steering, brakes, electrical/electronic systems, heating and air conditioning, and engine performance.

After working for his father, Link Jr. decided he wanted to have a shop of his own and approached his grandfather to see if he wanted to get back in the business of selling used vehicles.

"We definitely work well together," he added.

Both also said they have a goal of offering quality service at a fair price.

"Theres definitely enough that goes wrong with vehicles to make money. You dont have to lie about anything," Decker said. "You dont have to go out of your way to try to upsell a lot. Just be honest."

Rather than telling people what they need repaired, he said he likes to show them and explain what needs to be done.

The Janesville Street location has been a repair shop before. For six years, Rock Diesel of Milton LLC was located at 740 S. Janesville St. At the end of 2016, Rock Diesel joined Automatic Transmission Service (ATS) at 4365 Milton Ave., Janesville.

Read the original:
Grandpa, grandson open related auto businesses - hngnews.com

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