Neighbor Spotlight: Monroeville couple celebrates anniversary, business milestone

Editor’s note: Neighbor Spotlight is a monthly feature that aims to let our readers learn more about the people in their communities who are working to make them a better place, who have interesting stories to tell or who the community feels deserve “15 minutes of fame.” If you would like to nominate someone as a Neighbor Spotlight, see timesexpress.com, select the “Post Story” button in the upper right corner, click the “New Article” button and complete the form to publish your nomination. Questions? Email Neighborhood News Network editor Katie Green at kgreen@triblive.com.

A Monroeville couple will be celebrating two milestones together this year — their 56th wedding anniversary and the 40-year anniversary of running their auto parts business.

Harry and Carol Luzader own Luzader Auto Parts & Services, 274 Center Road. The pair married in 1965 and opened their business together July 26, 1982.

“Time flies,” said Harry, 77. “We have been working together since we have been married together.”

Opening the shop was not be the first time the pair worked together. The couple had previously worked at Harry’s parents’ motel until it was sold in 1983. With the knowledge that the motel would soon sell, the couple searched for a place to open their own business.

The beginning

With 25 years of experience in drag racing and nine years as a local NASCAR circle-track racer, Harry thought it would be best to put his skills and knowledge to use in a business. Harry is also in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Hall of Fame for his iconic ‘32 Ford Coupe.

“I thought becoming a mechanic would be the best move,” he said.

After searching for a location to open a business in Monroeville, the couple purchased property that was a BP gas station in 1981 and renovated the building to expand its space.

Harry said the business sold auto parts initially and expanded to offering car services once they saw the auto parts industry begin to change.

With fewer people fixing their own cars and many other buying their parts online, the customer base for auto parts began to shrink. At the same time, the need for service stations grew as many gas stations made the switch from offering services to offering food instead.

Offering services at their business at that point was a no-brainer.

Over time, they have built a loyal customer base.

“Our customers are like family to us,” Harry said. “We are honest with them and don’t load them up with unnecessary repairs.”

The couple said they are grateful to see generations of customers come to get service from them.

Handling a marriage and business together

Despite being together all day at work and home, the couple has managed to maintain a healthy marriage and said they rarely argue.

“You have to be patient,” Harry said. “You have to let your mate have the last word.”

Carol, laughing, said, “I was just about to say that!”

She joked that home is also their getaway.

“We have to go home to be able to escape each other,” said Carol, 75.

Tina Baker, the couple’s daughter, said their marriage has taught her and her brother how to be kind.

“I have seen their kindness and honesty in how they treat their customers, as well,” Baker said. “You can often find my mom talking to them about their life while my dad is fixing their car.”

Baker said she sees the couple extend that same kindess to each other.

“My dad keeps their yard beautiful at home because my mom likes to sit on the porch and enjoy it,” she said. “And my mom makes special trips to the store to buy my dad fresh produce and his favorite meals.”

The couple will celebrate their wedding anniversary this year the best way they know — running their business together.

“Usually (our anniversaries) fall on a weekday and we work,” Harry said. “We don’t usually do anything for it.”

The future

As for the future, the couple doesn’t see the grind stopping any time soon.

While some people want to retire in their 50s, Carol said the pair never really thought about doing that.

“That’s the most imporant thing, that we can still work because we want to work,” Carol said.