Popular gas station back up and running

In the fall of 2012, many Canton drivers breathed a sigh of relief when the full-service gas station at 1158 Washington Street re-opened for business under new management.

Stephen Teebagy, owner of Steve’s Auto and the new Canton Mutual on Washington Street.

Tucked between two homes in the mostly residential neighborhood of Canton Corner, the station has long been a convenient stop and a cheap source of gas for local motorists. Yet it had also become somewhat of a revolving door in recent years, switching from Getty to Lukoil and changing ownership at least a half dozen times over the past two decades.

Now it is back up and running once again, resurrected in October as a Canton Mutual station with a new island, new gas tanks, new signage, and a new owner, Stephen Teebagy, who wants customers to know that he plans to be in it for the long haul.

“People are just so happy when the place is open again,” said Teebagy, a veteran auto mechanic with over 25 years of experience and, by all accounts, a rock-solid reputation.

A native of West Roxbury, Teebagy has family in Canton and was actually quite familiar with the gas station before he decided to lease it — having operated Steve’s Auto Repair out of the garage in the rear of the property since 2003.

During that time he has managed to build up a steady and loyal clientele almost entirely through customer referrals. However, he felt he could attract many more if he could somehow make his business more accessible.

“I started doing state inspections in July out back, and I wasn’t getting too many customers,” recalled Teebagy. “A lot of people didn’t even know what was back there. I felt that [taking over the gas station] would be a good idea to have the frontage [on Washington Street] and just to have more visibility in general.”

And now that he has that added visibility, he said the next step is to spread the word about the variety of services that he offers.

“There’s nothing we can’t do,” insisted Teebagy, whose credentials include an automotive degree from Wentworth Institute of Technology and certifications as a master technician and advanced level specialist from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

He is particularly well-versed in electronic systems and computer diagnostics and has completed multiple advanced-level training courses on hybrid technology.

Teebagy said many people are still skeptical about bringing their modern vehicles to an independent repair shop, as they fear that the technicians either lack the equipment or the know-how to properly diagnose and repair the problem.

“But it’s all a matter of how computer savvy you are,” he insisted, adding that he has the technology to repair vehicles “at the dealership level and beyond.”

In addition to his technical expertise, Teebagy is also proud of the fact that his shop is AAA approved — with a 100 percent approval rating — and is a Massachusetts Registered Emissions Repair facility. The shop is also a designated Parts Plus Car Care Center and can therefore offer a nationwide warranty on a variety of services and repairs, along with an assortment of promotions and sweepstakes opportunities.

Now that he has assumed control of the gas station, Teebagy is determined to make both businesses work — even if it means running “back and forth all day” between the building up front and the garage in the back.

“I want people to know that the gas station is under new management now,” he said, “and even though I’ve been in the back for 10 years, now that I’m up front I want people in the town to know that it’s me.”

Teebagy also considers himself very fortunate to have a hardworking and knowledgeable staff, all of whom either grew up in Canton or live here now, and he is proud to operate his business on a site that, believe it or not, has a unique and interesting history — one that goes as far back as the 19^th century, when it was the location of the town’s first high school.

According to the bicentennial book Canton Comes of Age, the high school was later moved to the Hemenway building, but the “old school remained through the years and had various uses. Mr. E.J. Henniker operated an auto repair shop there. In 1935 Dave Medlicott took over the business and opened a gasoline and neighborhood store. Later Richard Mugford ran the same business.”

Now it’s Teebagy’s turn to continue this 80-year tradition, and while he acknowledged that running a small, independent gas station is a lot more challenging nowadays, he has been encouraged by the strong early returns and the positive response of his customers.

“My landlord told me that he’s never seen it so busy, and I get compliments from customers all the time,” he said. “It really is a great location for a business.”

To celebrate the opening of the new Canton Mutual, customers who buy gas between January 31 and February 5 will be automatically entered into a raffle for a chance to win one of three prizes: $50 in free gas, a free oil change, or $15 in free gas. For more information about Steve’s Auto Repair, call Steve at 781-828-1555.

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Posted by Jay Turner on Jan 31 2013. Filed under Business. Both comments and pings are currently closed.