Above from the left is Jon Carls, Kari Carls and Rick Uftring
After 50 years in the automotive business, Rick Uftring is retiring. He is selling his Uftring Automotive business in the Carolyn Development to Jon and Kari Carls who take ownership Thursday, October 15.
The new business will be named Carls Automotive and will specialize in car repair/maintenance and tire sales. Automobile sales and autobody work will not be part of the business initially. Jon has over 28 years experience in automotive repair.
Rick started his career as a mechanic for the Ford dealer in Flanagan. In 1975 he became a salesman for Jerry Henderson Motors. In December of 1980 he and his brother Danny bought out the Ford/Mercury dealership from Henderson. In October of 1988 he sold the Ford/Mercury dealership rights to Heller Ford in El Paso and moved his business across the street at Fourth and Chestnut where he did mechanical and autobody repair.
In August 2002 Rick built a new building at the Carolyn Development northwest of Minonk where he sold used cars in addition to providing automotive repair and maintenance service and an autobody shop.
Rick and his wife Linda, who retired from the Minonk Community Bank this year, plan to spend some of their retirement in Arizona where their son, son's wife and grandchildren live.
We wish Rick and Linda the best in their retirement and welcome Jon and Kari Carls who will continue the business started by Rick.