Henry's Service Centre
The distinctive building, a double A-Frame with gaping service bay doors, is a familiar sight to anyone that has driven the Trans-Canada Highway through Lower South River, Antigonish Co. It cuts a striking profile considering the generic designs of most service stations along major routes.
Henry's Service Centre has long been a pit-stop for travellers, offering more than just refuelling and repairs -- the long-serving management and staff are truly ambassadors of the province.
"We're located on the Highway 104 about halfway between Halifax and Sydney," says owner and operator Henry Overmars, of his well-situated station. "We're close to several communities and have developed a loyal client base from these areas."
At age 24, Overmars bought the station in 1978, and the full-service automotive repair shop, towing service, convenience store and gas station, grew steadily from its formative two-pump, double-bay days.
Henry's is an independent gasoline retailer, a rarity given the increasingly corporate ownership of stations in the industry. Operating under Esso and Napa Autopro brands, Henry's is a community-based business, wearing a big corporation logo.
Offering 24-hour towing service to central Nova Scotia, Overmars has driven thousands of kilometers retrieving broken-down cars, changing flats, refuelling the stranded and righting overturned vehicles. There isn't a backroad or stretch of highway he hasn't seen change during his 30 years behind the wheel.
Overmars comes from a family of entrepreneurs. His father Anton and mother Euphemia (Feem), immigrated to Canada from the Netherlands in the 1950s, settling in the farming community of St. Andrew's, along the Lower South River. Building, literally, farm after farm from the ground up, Anton had three profitable farming businesses under his belt by the time he retired.
While his brothers would eventually take over their father's businesses, Henry saw opportunity elsewhere, in automotive repair and service.
"I always wanted to be self-employed," says Henry. "Both (my wife) Barb's family and my own were from this area. I am a mechanic by trade, and the service station industry was a good fit for me."
Looking back on his time as an independent business man, Henry appreciates the support he's received over the years.
"After 30 years, it is hard to say what you like about a business you have given so much to. I would have to say it would be the many local, loyal customers that we have served and enjoyed over the years. I also take a lot of pride in my site. It's grown over the years to meet the demands of our customers and the public."
A towing service is a seven-day-a-week job, often busiest during the holidays. When most families retire together to the dinner table, Overmars is often called away. But the satisfaction of helping people has its rewards.
Many stories come to mind when asked about his career serving travellers.
"One Christmas, a couple was on their way to Ontario for the holidays and the transmission went in their car. I loaned them a car I had here at the station to go home for Christmas. I had their car repaired and ready when they got back."
In addition to advertising his services, Henry has contracts to provide towing service for several roadside assistance programs and local car dealerships.
Henry's wouldn't be the place it is without Barb, the bookkeeper and congenial hostess to all who stop. A registered nurse by trade and people-person by nature, Barb left a 16-year nursing career in 1990 to take on full-time duties as accountant, human resources manager and Henry's right-hand.
"I left nursing because we had six children and a busy husband who needed help with bookwork. I adapted well to the bookkeeping, and the rest is history," says Barb cheerfully.
Priding himself on excellent customer service and reliable repairs, Henry's shop offers a range of automotive services, including motor vehicle inspections, wheel alignments, brakes, oil changes, engine maintenance, transmission and other repairs.
Remaining competitive in the automotive industry means being able to repair all makes and models and relying heavily on diagnostic equipment, computers, and mechanics' knowledge and intuition. Overmars has always invested in his business, ensuring his technicians have access to the tools needed to do the job.
Henry's son Matthew became service manager in 2007, after graduation from St. Francis Xavier University with a degree in Business Administration.
"I enjoy working for something that has been started by my family, and that I am trying to carry on," says Matthew. "I like the challenges of working with the public and helping people out when we can. I like to see a customer leave happy, especially if they were upset when they came in, be it about their vehicle, or a product. I enjoy correcting a problem.
"I try to remember the quote on the (nearby) St. Martha's Hospital main entrance 'Serving as we would be served.' If I were in their shoes, I would like to have the patience and help that I always try to give."
Matthew has streamlined mechanical service delivery to a steady flow of customers, drop-ins and regulars from the local communities of St. Andrew's, Heatherton, Pomquet, Tracadie and the town of Antigonish. The service centre is a community staple and Matthew is determined to keep it that way.
"I want to live here in Antigonish to be near my family," he says. "I will always be able to be home at night to see my family, even though I will be working long hours in this business. I like serving the people I know and carrying on my father's standards to people who have come to expect a quality service."
