By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Auto mechanics are known for getting their hands dirty and greasy, but Kevin Krch of rural Lincolnville likes to keep the work environment neat and organized, and he likes to spend time outside, according to his wife, Kelly.

The landscaping at their automotive business is proof of that, with a square, two-acre rock yard surrounded by grass kept green by an underground sprinkler system.

Krch has made constant improvements to the four-generation homestead since he and Kelly have lived there.

In 2005, he built a metal shop for his Krch Automotive business. A few years later, he put metal siding on a 1907 historic barn and connected the building to the shop with a walk-through.

He gutted the inside of the barn and built two offices, a bathroom, and parts rooms. The haymow, accessed by a stairway, is used to store large parts.

About 50 percent of Krch Automotive’s business is with area farmers, servicing mainly farm trucks and semi-tractors. He occasionally takes on equipment repair jobs.

Kevin and Kelly each have their own office.

“We get along well as long as we don’t work side by side,” Kevin said. “That’s why we have two offices.”

Kelly makes phone calls, pays bills, and keeps records.

Business has remained “very consistent,” Kevin said.

Their biggest problem is finding mechanics. They are down to two mechanics from three.

“We have had to downsize,” Kevin said. “But we haven’t really downsized, we just work harder.”

Kevin’s advice to vehicle owners is to maintain them regularly.

“If you take care of a vehicle all along, you can avoid major problems,” Kelly added.

Their son Seth is 15 and will be a sophomore at Centre High School. Nicholas is 12 and will be a seventh grader.