Family-owned body shop opened 37 years ago [The Valley Independent, Monessen, Pa.]

Nov. 23--Ask E.J. Volker the hours that Eddie Volker's Body Shop is open and you'll get a laugh from the co-owner.

"The hours we work or the hours we're here working?" E.J. asked with a laugh.

"Many nights we're here much later."

The business is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The shop, located at 135 Morton St. in New Eagle, has been open for business since its namesake opened it in 1974.

But the neighborhood had been home for Eddie Volker all of his life.

And cars were his enjoyment.

He always worked on cars, noted E.J. Volker, Eddie's son.

Eddie Volker grew up in New Eagle and worked at Patterson Supply as a crane operator by day and worked on cars at night.

Eventually, his pastime became a living when he opened the business while in his mid-30s.

Volker has maintained the business at its Morton Street site. He grew up across the street from the business site and began buying up houses in the neighborhood, tearing them down and building the business.

His sons, E.J. and Bill, took over the business a decade ago.

"We've helped dad build the building, lay the bricks and we've been here since we were little kids," E.J. Volker said.

"I got my first experience working on cars here."

It's a unique location for a business. Signs on Main Street direct customers to the business.

But E.J. Volker said most of their customers come from word of mouth.

"This is the neighborhood where he grew up," E.J. Volker said. "Most of our business is from people knowing dad and from dad running around in those (service) trucks with the flames on them."

At the family-owned business, they do all body work and collision. They work with all insurance companies.

Any of the Volkers are available to answer questions, make a service call or schedule an appointment by calling (724) 258-5939.

E.J., 39, and Bill Volker, 32, have worked fulltime in the business since they turned 18.

"I love taking something that's wrecked and destroyed and turning it back into something good and new," E.J. Volker said. "I like the challenge of fixing what they say can't be fixed and making it right."

Now retired, Eddie Volker opens the building and has everything running before his sons arrive.

"Then he just sits back and enjoys the retiree life," Bill Volker said with a laugh.

Bill Volker said he began working in the shop when he was 12. He started out sweeping out and cleaning the shop and doing routine maintenance.

When he turned 16, Bill Volker started priming cars and by the time he turned 21, he was painting vehicles and doing all of the body/collision work.

"It's just a family business," Bill Volker said. "I like being with my brother and my dad. It makes the day go by fast.

"I just always enjoyed it and I want to keep the family name going and eventually pass it down to my kids when I have them."

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(c)2011 The Valley Independent (Monessen, Pa.)

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