If you live in Carleton Place, then you probably already know that the most trustworthy, knowledgeable mechanic is located at 105 High Street on the north side of the bridge.
With decades of experience, one customer said that Tim (Owner of Tim’s Service Centre – NAPA Auto Pro) can often hear and identify a problem with a vehicle by the sounds it makes as it drives into the parking lot. The Cosgroves have been bringing our cars to Tim’s Service Centre since we moved to Carleton Place in 2016. Tim and his team always find a way to squeeze us in when Kaitey is paranoid because her tires look a teeny bit flat (they aren’t but Tim doesn’t make her feel dumb for asking) or when Kevin wears his car’s brake pads down til there is nothing left (classic Kevin move!).
Tim and his team are well-known in the community for providing top-notch service and fair pricing. In our experience, the cost and time quoted is always bang-on (no one likes those kind of surprises!).
Pro tip – Tim’s Service Centre is just a short walk from the cafés, craft breweries and quaint boutiques on Bridge Street! Go for a stroll and check them out while you wait.
Hi Linda,
My name is Stephen Irvine and I’m a Carleton Place resident. I’m sure you’re already aware but my uncle, Tim Nephin (of Tim’s Service Centre), is finally retiring after over 50 years of owning and operating a business that has been a staple in our community. On Thursday, June 27 NAPA is hosting a barbecue at the service centre on High St to celebrate and honour Tim’s legacy.
Kerry White photo
While a Grade 9 student at CPHS, Tim started on his lifelong career path at the age of 14 when he was hired to pump gas at Earl Horricks’ garage on Bridge St. He progressed to tire and oil changes and odd jobs at the garage at the age of 17, leading to an apprenticeship the following year. When Earl retired and despite the financial challenges that come with being a young entrepreneur, Tim rented the bays from the new owners of the garage until he purchased 105 High St, the current site of his automotive business, Tim’s Service Centre.
Tim continued to offer full-service gas and eventually purchased his first tow truck, allowing him to respond to tow and service calls. Tim mentored and provided opportunities to staff through the apprenticeship program and offered employment to countless local high school-age youth. Tim prides himself on offering the best possible service to each and every customer who has entrusted him with their vehicles. He feels truly blessed to have earned and retained a large and loyal customer base.
Tim’s nature can be described as humble, fair, honest, steadfast, reliable, and consistent. He has quietly supported our community and several local organizations his entire career. Self-employment in the automotive industry comes with long hours, physically demanding labour, and keeping current with ever-changing industry standards (electronic components, electric vehicles, etc.), but Tim’s resilience empowers him to rise to every challenge he faces. He thanks every current and former staff member, as well as his customers, for their devotion to his business.
After over 50 years of entrepreneurship Tim is looking forward to enjoying a retirement filled with hobbies and spending quality time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Uncle Tim never asks for anything, and I’d love to see him feel special in his last week of work.
Thank you,
Stephen Irvine
Thanks Stephen Tim is an icon of our community and now he is documented for eternity.-Linda
Mike Kean— Linda, Horrick’s was the place to be to talk to everybody after you drove up and down the main street as many times as you wanted and didn”t feel like going out to curb service.
John Armour— Earl Horrick’s Esso, later taken over by Tim Nephin. In 1972, gas was about .35 cents a gallon (pre metric). My Father let me charge up to him, all the gas I wanted, to fuel my small boat with 5 1/2hp Johnson motor. I spent my summers exploring every nook and cranny of Mississippi Lake and only shut the motor off to re-fuel. Finally put a rod through the motor and burned it out from overuse. (Have always owned my own boat since I was 11 years old)
The theatre next door originally had piano accompaniment in the days of silent movies. (My Grandmother, Mae LeMaistre, played)
On the other side of Horrick’s was a smoke shop
Keith Giffin —The Barrs ran the garage before Earl Horricks Jeff Perkins after him and Brian Fumerton and Denise Spoor next to it Harold Dowdall barber shop next Kelly,s laundry the Theatre and the Carleton lLunch Barr my family ran the lunch bar for a number of years. I remember it being Barrs because my dad sent me there to borrow a left hand monkey wrench I was told it was being used and come back in 20 mins.
Nancy Hudson —Percy Barr ran it in the 1950’s and later Earl Horricks. I remember my Dad used to go over in the evenings and visit with the other men there.
Nancy Hudson—My family lived on Victoria St. during this time [mid-late 50′], I remember the Thornton family lived in the house back from the street next to the garage and Ned Root had a little shop beside the house. Next was Stanzel’s taxi then Dr. MacDowell’s office where Community Living is now.
Happy retirement to Tim & Rona, & thank you for your service. We have been taking our vehicles to Tim & his team since the early 70s ( when he was on Bridge St.)
You are one of the most honest & caring people in Carleton Place & you will be missed.
Bonnie Adams said -Just found out Tim at Tim’s Service Centre in CP is retiring at the end of June. I will miss him and his staff so much. I will never find a place like this to get my car serviced. They go above and beyond. See you on the 27th Tim, Rona, Karl, Peter & your wonderful Mechanics
A true master of the trade. Tim, you not only taught me the trade but so many life lessons that made me a better person. I cannot thank you enough my friend. Congratulations!!!!
Well I learned more working at Tim’s, than any other jobs I’ve had. Dealing with Customers, using Tools and Machines and just responsibilities in General. Thank You also We’ll see You next Thursday.
Ok, full disclosure…I am Tim’s sister but I’ll tell it without any bias and nothing but the truth! As anyone knows who has taken a vehicle to Tim for any service, Tim has always provided excellent service! I can’t tell you how often we have stopped for an oil change at a local centre and been told “ Oh, by the way, you need new tires ( or new brakes) and when we then took it to Tim, he told us the tires ( or brakes) were fine for at least another season! So not only excellent service, but honesty!
Tim has always been a hard worker and I have no doubt that he will use his new-found time to excel and enjoy some new hobbies! Enjoy every blessed minute Tim… you deserve it!
Tim you know how much I’m going to miss you and your crew. You all always took such great care of my fleet. I am so very happy for you and your so very beyond well earned rest. You guys are the best.
A retirement well earned. Tim has been our mechanic since the early 1990’s . He and his staff have provided amazing service and kindness throughout the years. You will be missed but we wish you the very best for the next adventure in life. Thank you
I know everyone needs to retire at some point but these are the service people we miss the most
. It’s like my Dr. Of 35 years retired last year. I so miss him. Nothing of my medical care has been the same. When will these new replacements ever measure up to what we had? They don’t care and we’re not important anymore. I have seen so many referrals for Tim’s. He will be missed. Enjoy your retirement Tim. Your time has come to enjoy it.
There will never be another Tim one of our favorite honest guys around may god richly blessed your well deserved retirement and enjoy your wife of youth
Congrats on a well deserved retirement. Tim and his past and present team could not only fix your car but they could also rebuild parts, weld in new pieces when needed, machine parts and more. It is going to be hard to find a new garage with the same knowledge and that are just not part swappers at higher prices.
The best mechanic we have EVER HAD in our lives.!!! The nicest person….with a darling wife to match. Tim…where are we going to get our car fixed now??!!!! Yikes, a legend is leaving. So happy for you though Tim & Ronna Lee…enjoy your very well deserved retirement
(Have always owned my own boat since I was 11 years old)
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