A family-owned Hornell small business will soon be on the move to a brand new home.
Maple City Collision has been serving Hornell and the surrounding areas with automotive and auto body repairs since 1995 at its familiar location at 7548 Seneca Road, Hornell.
Now, the business is preparing a transition to a newly built shop at 1245 county Route 66. The 6,000 square foot building will feature a bigger lot and a new, upgraded paint booth.
Maple City Collision has been in the Burch family for three generations of owners, with all three leaving their mark with the business.
Maple City Collision was founded by William J. Burch, a prominent Hornell businessman who was also the longtime owner and operator of Maple City Dodge.
Leadership passed to his son, Kevin W. Burch, when Bill Burch retired in 2008.
John Burch, 41, took the collision shop forward after his dad passed away in 2014, building a strong track record of customer service over the last 11 years.
In the present day, Maple City Collision and Maple City Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram are separately owned.
“The (business) is home to me,” John Burch said. “I grew up here working for my grandpa and dad, cleaning the shop floor when I was a kid and doing a lot of maintenance. So, it is sort of instilled in me to take care of the public.”
The collision shop services all vehicle makes and models, repairing dents and dings, deer strikes and major collisions.
Burch said he’s excited for beginning Maple City Collision’s next chapter in a building that he holds ownership to for the first time. Bill Phelps Construction of Arkport is the contractor for the job.
The Route 66 spot they’ll occupy is across the street from Charles F Oliver & Son LLC.
“I like the location of it. I like being right off of Route 21,” Burch said.
What new home will mean for Maple City Collision customers
Gas and electric services were installed during the second week of January, another stop closer to a planned mid March opening.
A life-long resident of the Canisteo Valley, Burch said the move is a significant upgrade for the business. The shop will offer full detailing and Burch said he may add towing services eventually.
Following the move, Maple City Collision is expected to keep the same Monday through Friday open hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at least initially.
In addition to Burch, the collision shop employs five people. That crew is made up of Angela Markel, Stephanie Ikeler, Eric Harwood, Randy Troxel and Sawyer Troxel.
The business prides itself on its ability to help customers navigate insurance claims and get vehicles back on the road quickly and seamlessly.
Burch said feedback from customers has been positive.
“We get questions all the time asking when we are moving, or telling me it is looking good. It seems everybody is excited about it,” he said.
Email Neal Simon at nsimon@gannett.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Family-owned Maple City Collision on the move to brand new Hornell home
Reporting by Neal Simon, Hornell Evening Tribune / The Evening Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
