To the editor:
A tribute to a brother, father, frandfather, and over 50 years in business in downtown Franklin.
It appears the time has come for my older brother (Dan Paris) to ride off into the “sunrise” of retirement. I say that because I’m sure he’s still going to tinker with his old cars at the place where it all began…
Sometime around 1954 my father, William (Bill) E. Paris, returned from the Korean War and started in the auto repair and gas station business at U.S. 31 and Main. It was Paris DX Station (where Firehouse Subs is now located). The neighbors were The Big Queen Restaurant, Dog & Suds and John Deere Farm Equipment Dealership.
In about 1964, my father moved the business to the corner of Jefferson and Walnut streets taking over the business of Allen’s Mobil Station, and it became Paris Super Service offering gasoline, auto repair and towing service. The neighbors now were Grahams Saw Mill and John Ingles Car Dealership with a creek running right next to the building along with two railroad tracks. Over the next many years, Dad added Allis Chalmers Garden Tractor Sales, Rupp Mini-Bikes, Allis Chalmers Industrial Sales and anything else he could make money on. Bill Paris was a true entrepreneur.
Bill allowed each of his sons to accompany him to work as they entered junior high. Each son, Dan, then Fred, and then Rick, started out washing cars and pumping gas. These were great years in downtown Franklin. You had Brown’s Market, Green Door Restaurant, Betty’s, West Side Café, Rhoades Elevator, Nick’s Candy Kitchen, City Drugs, three banks, the jail, and much, much, more.
Dan really took to the service business and love of cars, and after graduating from Franklin Community High School in 1971, he went to Lincoln Tech in Indianapolis to learn all the latest about auto maintenance. I remember his pride when they got the first Sun Diagnostics machine. Dan was so excited.
By the mid 1970s, Dan was pretty much running the service station, married Peggy Jo Brown, and moved into a home just north of the station. So, Bill took the knowledge he had running various businesses plus his experience in handling industrial equipment sales, and became a development partner in the development of Camelot Estates. He would later finish Camelot, Ramsey Addition, Paris Estates and other projects.
Dan purchased the service business from Bill in the early 1980s and expanded it. He outgrew the shop on the corner and purchased the building to the east that had housed Haverstick Rambler and AMC which allowed him to service a lot more cars and hire more mechanics. He renamed it Recovery One Auto as he also owned and operated the wrecker service from its South Jackson Street Location.
Dan kept the building on the corner which has housed a NAPA Auto Parts store and other business ventures. In the past several years, Dan has done a beautiful job refurbishing the building. I call it his personal museum to the earlier days of Bill Paris. Everyone should be sure to visit this amazing collection of days past.
Dan sold his wrecker business on South Jackson Street earlier this spring, and will now welcome new operator Rick Gillam as he takes over the auto service business at 200 W. Jefferson St., offering a full line of auto repair, tires and more.
So, CONGRATULATIONS to a brother who helped keep a family business successful in downtown Franklin for over 50 years. (Not sure, but I’m thinking it may currently be the oldest father/son operating business in Franklin.)
Dan would want to thank all the great current and past employees that have worked for him over the years; his wife Peggy and Cathy who helped in the office; and especially enjoys remembering Al Cummings, Dean Brown, and Arnie who, though they have passed away, were with Dan for years. He would also tell his past customers “Thank you for your business and trust!” and be assured that Rick Gillam will do well for them.
So in closing, after 50 plus years running a business in the same location, I guess we all want to tell Dan: “Have fun and enjoy your grandchildren, old cars, and old friends. Continue taking care of the old building at Jefferson and Walnut keeping a chair by the bench so brothers, sisters, cousins and friends can stop by to share a story and maybe a soft drink or beverage.”
From your younger brother Fred.
Fred Paris
Franklin
