Sugar Notch business to close after more than 90 years

SUGAR NOTCH — When you fulfill Larry Churnetski, you promptly comprehend why he has an 8-issue Code of Ethics on his web site and posted in his office at Churnetski Transportation and Auto Repair service.

The Code of Ethics is how Churnetski, 71, and his late father just before him have run their company and their life for a lot more than 93 years at 146 Hillside St. in Sugar Notch.

Which is why Churnetski, his staff members, his shoppers and all who know him are saddened by the information that the business enterprise will be shutting down sometime this summer season. It will mark the finish of an era stuffed with a great number of tales and glad shoppers who will no question keep the spirit of that Code of Ethics just simply because they obtained to know Larry and his dad.

“It’s time to retire,” he mentioned. “My age is a component. The pandemic is yet another variable. And we have a buyer for the property.”

‘An institution’

Jonathan S. Comitz, an lawyer with offices on Community Square in Wilkes-Barre, has identified Churnetski for decades. His dad and Churnetski are friends as nicely.

“This is truly an conclude of an era,” Comitz claimed of the enterprise shutting down. “He has owned and operated Churnetski Transportation in Sugar Notch for as very long as I can recall and his father ran it before him. My grandfather and his father ended up friends and I can recall going to that garage when I was just a tyke. In any celebration, his garage is an institution and anyone who has at any time been there or is aware of Larry would concur he is one particular of a form.”

Comitz identified as Churnetski’s garage “an institution.”

“Places like this do not exist any more and it will be sad to see the garage close,” Comitz reported. “But I am pretty pleased for Larry, as he justifies to retire on his own phrases.”

Comitz also stated Churnetski is well-revered in the neighborhood

“And this did not come about by accident,” Comitz stated. “His get the job done at the garage enabled him to sort many robust interactions and contact the life of quite a few individuals in quite a few different strategies. His quiet generosity in excess of the several years is unmatched. I have absolutely learned from him and I am content that I can connect with him my friend.”

‘I have no regrets’

That Code of Ethics looks to have been strictly adopted by numerous above the decades.

Churnetski sat guiding his desk and talked about the business enterprise, pausing from time to time to acquire a cell phone simply call and assure the customer that their auto would be all set that afternoon.

Churnetski joined his father, John, at the small business in 1972 soon after he graduated from Villanova College. The family members homestead, demolished three months back, sat upcoming door. He now has five workers, down from the 43 when the business held the bus transportation contract with Hanover Region University District, which they marketed in August 2021 soon after 49 several years.

As he gets prepared for retirement with Kate, his wife of 40 several years, Churnetski stated he looks ahead to additional trout fishing and peace.

So what about that Code of Ethics?

“That arrived about since essentially we required to deal with our buyers the way we would want to be handled,” Churnetski mentioned. “The prospects have earned that. They occur here hunting for good assistance and we provide that.”

As Comitz explained, closing the business will mark the conclude of an outstanding period. Churnetski needs there was an conclusion to the pandemic as very well.

Churnetski stated he expects all the buildings will be long gone soon. He does not know what the customer has prepared for the website, but it won’t be a garage.

“I have no regrets,” he stated. “I’ve had terrific individuals work here above the a long time and our customers have been the greatest. They have all made a long lasting perception on me.”

Even even though he never ever believed he would function in the business enterprise, Churnetski mentioned he is happy he did.

“When I viewed what my father did each and every day and how he loved his do the job and the customers, I realized this was for me,” Churnetski reported. “I realized that I didn’t want to drop that ball.”

Churnetski’s father handed in December 1983, and the ball has under no circumstances been dropped above the 38-additionally decades that adopted.

‘We know your time is money’

On the enterprise web-site, it states:

“Get major-notch automobile fix companies nowadays at Churnetski Transportation Inc. From AC repair service to transmission companies, our intention is to supply skilled auto repairs at an reasonably priced price tag.

“We know your time is money. Most truck or vehicle upkeep providers can be done while you hold out. Quite a few repairs this sort of as AC maintenance, brakes, and transmission repairs will be carried out that day. Straight ahead or difficult, our mechanics will get your automobile repairs completed immediately and get you back again on the highway right away.

“We will offer you with an uncomplicated to realize estimate just before beginning any services. Check with us about alternatives to retain vehicle repair expenditures lower or updates to keep your vehicle in leading form. We stand guiding all of our work with a guarantee you can depend on.

“Our qualified mechanics and really skilled vehicle maintenance professionals supply the ideal in car repair products and services for domestic and import automobiles of all makes and products.”

And oh yeah, verify out that Code of Ethics.