Turner Body Shop Expands

Business growth at Turner Body Shop in downtown Holdrege has caused cramped spaces for its staff. Now, thanks to grants from PCDC, the local body shop is expanding.

PCDC awarded Turner a Business and Franchise grant to help construct a new 60 x 60 building on the lot behind the business at 314 East Avenue. The grant package will also help with landfill and permitting fees and marketing.

“The funds that PCDC is providing will help tremendously as we are a small family business, and the cost of building is not cheap,” owner Ashley Turner said.

Turner is a full-service collision shop, providing tire repair and replacement, glass replacement, replacement parts, restoration, digital frame measuring, alignments and full suspension, paint, 24-hour towing, paintless dent repair, free rental car assistance, and virtual estimating. The business also offers free vehicle pickup and delivery, along with mobile estimating, to anyone in the Holdrege area.

“The growth in our customer base has put us in high demand for expanding production room,” Ashley said. “The techs are elbow to elbow in our current building.”

While they originally planned to expand onto the front lot, which would have taken away parking stalls, they were recently able to purchase the lot behind the business. That’s where the new steel building is being constructed. 

“This building will be used for paint production, equipped with an oversized booth for larger vehicles, a wash bay, prep station, and class area for continued tech training,” Ashley said.

Melroy Construction started building the new space in October. 

“Groothuis and Sons Plumbing (Funk), All City Garage Door (Kearney), M&J Signs (Elm Creek), Durable Service (Holdrege), Weisheit Construction Co. (Stamford), K & D Electric (Holdrege), and of course the amazing city officials have all made this project possible for us,” Ashley said.

Ashley said Turner Body Shop purchased the Holdrege business from D & T Body Shop (Bruce and Carla Thomsen) in 2016. Her late husband, Tony, and his mom, Barb Turner, had been looking for a way to expand the business when the Holdrege opportunity became available. Tony’s grandfather started the business in Kearney in 1969. Ashley started working at the Holdrege location in 2016.

Unfortunately, Tony passed away in November 2019 in a car wreck leaving the Holdrege shop.

“We were then faced with a decision,” Ashley said. “Close the business, which meant leaving all Tony's hard work, or plant our feet, take what we knew, and continue the family legacy. We chose to continue in our fearless leader's name. Our staff rallied with us on our decision, supporting us and stepping up to the plate to help where we lacked. We had several industry members come to our aide also, offering knowledge, classes, conferences, and mentorship.”

The business is now owned by Ashley, Barb Turner, and Robert Turner. It employs a staff of 11, including Ashley.  

“We are always looking to add to our body shop family and encourage entry-level youth to come see if they are interested in joining our industry,” Ashley said. “We provide a scholarship every year to a select individual who wants to pursue auto body as their career.”