[RBH Automotive]

Okay, Several very kind people responded to my earlier post about suitable areas and towns in NE Oklahoma. As I said there I am taking an early retirement from a 10 year military carreer, and turning to our Automotive service.
We are now looking very seriously at the Grove area of Grand Lakes, but would like some local information if there is anyone out there. Mostly I am curious to how needed or welcome a new automotive service would be, or how much work there is there for a qualified auto-tech?
My wife is also interested in the possibility of operating a small tavern, but I have my reservations for such an endeavor. It can cause a lot of issues in a small community, and be a royal pain in the....well you get the idea

Thanks again to those who took the time to offer their words, and hope to hear more!

Ray

[Jammie]

Hi. I'm just so glad that you're checking into Grove. It is just the coolest place. We're from So. Dak. and have been in search of our future place to live. We've been checking things out thoroughly since this will be the first move in our lives. We went to OK a couple weeks ago and Grove definitely stuck out for us. Since then, we have made the decision that Fla. will be our next home. I love the warm weather and beaches and we have family there, which was probably the main deciding factor. Our second choice would've definitely been Grove, OK. I can't give you much info since I don't live there, BUT you may want to check out the Tulsa Now forum. There are a LOT of nice people on there who know quite a bit about the surrounding areas. Some of the people there have lived in other areas of OK and I know for a fact that several know a lot about Grove. It seems to be the place to go for summer fun.

[RBH Automotive]

Well we drove up this weekend and found a couple places(heck of a weekend drive from El Paso!). We are making an offer on a place just south of grove near jay. It sets just off the lake(Eucha), has 6.5 acres, and is WONDERFUL! It sure looks like our business will be a great success there, and we are considering becoming a mobile service as well. The area is so spread out that it will no doubt be to our advantage and that of our customers.

Thanks for the help and willing words. The area truly is just what we were looking for!

Ray

[LBurry]

Originally Posted by RBH Automotive

Well we drove up this weekend and found a couple places(heck of a weekend drive from El Paso!). We are making an offer on a place just south of grove near jay. It sets just off the lake(Eucha), has 6.5 acres, and is WONDERFUL! It sure looks like our business will be a great success there, and we are considering becoming a mobile service as well. The area is so spread out that it will no doubt be to our advantage and that of our customers.

Thanks for the help and willing words. The area truly is just what we were looking for!

Ray

Ray, you sure move quickly. Your post caught my eye so I thought I'd add my two cents. I too, am retired from the military and now working full time in a service related industry. I live in Bartlesville which is about 1 1/2 hours west of Grove. I travel to the Grove area once or twice per week on my job. Good luck in your ventures. I can't say whether your business will be welcome or successful since I don't live there but it's my experience that a qualified auto service tech will achieve a large number of customers when they are good, fair, and don't gouge their customers. I have a mechanic here that treats us like family and I trust him.... I'd not consider taking our vehicles to anyone else.

As far as the Grove/Jay area goes, the population in the winter dwindles. During summer, the area attracts a lot of lake people who spend their summers there. During the winter, it's simply the locals and a few of those who come up for the weekends. Many professionals from Kansas City, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa have properties on the lake. And there are many blue collar workers from all over, as well. The population is quite diverse and changes with the weather. I think that a mobile service would do well there and if you're willing to service other things such as outboards, backup generators, recreational vehicles, etc, it may bring revenue to your business.

As for a tavern, they have a tough time starting in smaller Oklahoma communities. We're in the bible belt and places that offer adult entertainment are often publicly scoffed. You don't see as many places here as you do in other states and I constantly read news articles which condemn the presence of taverns in a town. Get acquainted and get a "feel" for that before leaping into it..... Just my opinion, mind you.

The area that you're looking at is quite beautiful, as you've seen. I wish you the best of luck and if you'd like any information, just holler. I'll offer what I can.

Regards,

Larry

[RBH Automotive]

Thank you,
We are moving right along! We decided to do it, and are getting after it. Since the military is no longer my future, we have to get out there and make one. The area is a perfect fit, and after seeing a good portion of it we were not about to back out.
We are very confident in the automotive service and do actually plan on expanding to cover small engines and inboards. I have to go and take some manufacturer specific training for this though since we don't do anything that we are not certified to do. There will be some equipment upgrades and requirements to fill but that's easy.
As for a tavern type idea....well, not really my idea of a good time or business. Not only for the excellent reasons you had mentioned, but they can have a negative impact on small towns, and are just a difficult business to be successful in.
Thanks for the input and info!

Cheers,
Ray