OXFORD – When Dave Patry closed his home-based engine repair business to open Dave’s Small Engine Repair in April, he didn’t have to worry about missing his wife and teenage son. He took them along with him.
Patry’s wife, Paula, gave up her own small business of repairing caned chairs to work as receptionist and bookkeeper for the family business. Their son, Robert, who’ll turn 16 next month, enjoys the challenge of repairing engines, so he’s helping as well.
Patry has been repairing engines in his Norway home for about 15 years, mostly in the evening after coming home from Ripley and Fletcher, where he worked in the service department for nine years.
Robert “pretty much grew up with it,” Dave Patry said. The three decided as a family to move the business out of their home and make it a full-time endeavor.
“There was a need for it,” Dave Patry said. “We knew we’d be busy.” But they didn’t anticipate that business would come from as far as Poland and Bryant Pond. Since opening the business, Patry and his son have repaired equipment up to 50 years old. “If we can get the parts, we’ll do it,” he said.
Dave’s Small Engine Repair is an authorized service dealer for Briggs and Stratton, Tecumseh and Kohler products. Patry is also a full-service dealer and salesperson for Gravely and Ariens. He said he can repair “pretty much any outdoor power equipment,” and noted that business doesn’t stop when snow falls, because he also services snowblowers.
The shop carries a complete line of Poulan Pro tractors, mowers and chain saws, as well as Shindaiwa chain saws and trimmers. Paula Patry pointed out that the shop’s first delivery of equipment has already been sold, and another trailer-load is scheduled to arrive today.
Dave’s Small Engine Repair is located across the street from Wal-Mart. It also can be reached via Dean Road, off Fore Street.
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