Shoemaker Auto Repair ready to service Putnam County residents

As a young kid, Coby Shoemaker would tinker with bicycles in the basement of his parents' house. 

Little did he know that tinkering with bicycles would turn into a career where he is servicing vehicles in Bainbridge at Shoemaker Auto Repair, 6525 County Road 675 North. 

"I would go down in the basement, where I kept all of my bicycles. My friends would come over and I would tear them apart, and we would trade parts or I would put them back together from a bare frame. My father always did a lot of work on his and my mom's vehicles, so I would watch and learn from my dad, which was more of me handing him tools," Shoemaker told The Putnam County Post. 

Shoemaker admits his upbringing helped drive his entrepreneurial spirit.

"I didn't come from a wealthy family or a family that had a lot of money. We made due with what we had, and that required us to fix it ourselves if something broke. A lot of what I have learned about working on cars is stuff I have learned on my own by just doing it. I have made plenty of mistakes and I have learned the way on some things. Being a mechanic is a love-hate relationship. Some days are easy, and that's when you love it. The days are challenging or you have that one broken bolt that will put you in a bad mood and make you ask yourself why do you work on cars," Shoemaker said. 

Shoemaker said being able to work on cars for residents in and around Putnam County is a "dream come true."

"This is something I have dreamed about for a very long time. I am a lifelong Putnam County resident, so for this to finally happen for me, and for all of the family, friends and customers that have helped make this happen, I cannot thank them enough, especially my wife and four children. I spend a lot of time away due to working a full time job and then starting my own auto repair shop. Without them, I would have given up already. They are the reason why I work hard and long hours, because I want to give them the best lives that I possibly can," he said. 

Shoemaker said he has a message for anyone looking for a mechanic. 

"Getting your vehicle fixed and safe to be on the road does not have to cost a fortune. My goal is to make it more affordable in this crazy expensive world. I know what a lot of shops charge and I want to be able to make it even more affordable. I take pride in my work, and every vehicle that comes through gets a courtesy inspection and we make sure that every customer is aware of any issues we may find while working on their vehicle. If they can't afford a new car, and their old car they're driving needs repairs that cost thousands of dollars, contact us and let's get it done at a price you can afford," Shoemaker said. 

Shoemaker Auto Repair is open Monday through Friday from 5:30 p.m. until midnight. 

"I came up with these hours because I still work a full time job at a dealership. I know the working class person that works 9-5 struggles to get in even for an oil change before 5, so I want to be there when they can't get in anywhere else after 5. My goal is to, eventually, have a 24 hour service shop," Shoemaker said. 

For more information, look up Shoemaker Auto Repair on Facebook, email Shoemaker at shoemakerautorepair@gmail.com or call him at 765-721-7487.