Wheels Keep Turning for Wroblinskis

Michael Wroblinski always had a soft spot for old stuff. Especially old stuff relating to cars.

As an ASE certified mechanic for the last 30 years, Wroblinski has had plenty of time to collect lots of that old stuff, so wife Susan was pretty happy when he finally opened his own auto service shop at 115 Bay Spring Ave. in July of 1999.

It meant that the antique signs, vending machines, and pictures could be used to decorate the shop, instead of their home.

Mind you, Susan isn't averse to being around the stuff at the shop. She works part time there, doing the books for her husband's business, and said they have a great working relationship.

"He's very energetic," said Susan. "He always likes to be doing something, and he loves his own space."

She joked that she calls her husband's business the "Bay Spring Country Club," as "his friends like to come over, and they shoot the breeze."

In between shooting the breeze, Wroblinski repairs all makes and models of autos, from oldies but goodies, like his 1962 Jeep Willys, to new cars of every description.

Wroblinski had his eye on the shop location for several years before he was finally able to purchase the building in 1999. It used to be a gas station in the '30s and '40s, and the antique feel of the place was appealing to him.

When the former owner finally sold it to him, he and his twin sons (the Wroblinskis also have two daughters) gutted the place, then renovated it with plenty of space to display his collection of antique auto paraphenalia.

Customers can book their car in for new brakes, muffler work, or one of the other services provided by Bay Spring Service, and take a few minutes to check out all the interesting items on display.

For Wroblinski, there's nothing better than being surrounded by the things he loves, unless it's "being your own boss," he said with a grin.