Wilder said he is aiming to have the new facility ready for a Jan. 1 opening and expects to bring on more staff before then.
Keene mechanic Steven Wilder is adding a second shop after purchasing the former Fran’s of Keene building at 384 Washington St. in late October. The move gives Wilder Automotive a larger footprint in the city, with the new location set to complement the company’s original shop nearby rather than replace it.
Wilder said he is aiming to have the new facility ready for a Jan. 1 opening and expects to bring on more staff before then. He is currently seeking three to five technicians as well as a couple service writers to support the expanded operation.
The business, which opened in 2014, is located just down the road from the longtime Fran’s site. Fran’s was founded in 1970 at 528 Washington St. and stayed in operation for 56 years before shutting down in August.
Wilder said the purchase was driven by space needs and a desire to handle more customer vehicles. He paid $640,000 for the property, according to Cheshire County Register of Deeds records reported by The Warren Group. Renovation work is already underway, including upgrades to the electrical and heating systems and the addition of new car lifts.
The current Wilder Automotive location will continue operating while the new site is prepared. Wilder said the property became available through the owner, who reached out to see whether he wanted to buy it, and its proximity made the opportunity an easy one to consider.
Source: www.magic967.com
