After 21 years in business, Butch and Jennifer Gruelke are turning over ownership of Butch Gruelke Auto Body in Hampton to Lance and Erica Studer.
The transition will take place Monday, May 4, as Lance Studer Customs relocates to the current shop location and continues providing auto body repair and mechanical services. Customers with scheduled repairs will not be affected, as the transition has already been underway behind the scenes.
Butch Gruelke says his passion for auto body work began as a teenager after fixing his own vehicle following an accident, eventually leading to years of experience in the industry before opening his own shop. He adds that the shop was about more than just repairs, it was about the people doing the work.
“Throughout the years, we’ve had a lot of artists that have worked for us,” Butch Gruelke says. “I call them artists because they take their time and they put these vehicles back together like they’ve never been wrecked. And it takes a certain type of a person to want to work on a car and put it back to its beautiful condition that it was. So not only are they employees and craftsmen, but they are artists.”
Jennifer Gruelke says those working alongside them became an extended family.
“We’ve had some amazing employees over the years and without them this also wouldn’t have happened.” Jennifer Gruelke says. “We’ve gotten to know them as family and it’s been amazing to be part of their lives and watch their kids grow and hear the stories about their families and seeing them here at work and so all past and current employees they just hold a special place in our heart.”
The Gruelkes say they plan to step away without a set agenda and look forward to what comes next. They will remain involved during the transition period to help ensure a smooth handoff.
Photo and audio courtesy of Jennifer Burnham, Hampton Chronicle News Editor
