JW McDonald Auto Service has had several names over the years, but has always been able to provide automotive services to Winnipeggers.
But now the bulk of the Exchange District is shrinking and ready to close its doors forever.
Andy Baranowski, the store’s owner, said now was the time to close things off and move on to the next chapter of his life.
“I just decided I had to unplug it and spend more time alone with my wife and travel, instead of working on everyone’s cars,” Baranowski said.
Andy Baranowski at JW McDonald Auto Service before closing. (Source: Jamie Dowset / CTV News)
According to the Manitoba Historical Society, the 189 Bannatyne Avenue business was opened in 1923 under the name Blackie & Price. It was owned by Arthur Blackie and John Price.
In the 1930s, the name was changed to Blackie & Douglas, and in 1948 the current building was built.
In the late 1950s, the business became Handfield Motors after Roland Handfield acquired it. Then, in the early 1960s, John W. MacDonald took over the business, giving the garage its current name.
Baranowski said he worked for McDonald’s and bought the garage from him in 1987 and has been in charge ever since.
He recently said that someone had approached him to buy the building, and although the deal had failed, it made him consider moving out of business.
Sign for JW McDonald Auto Service. (Source: Jamie Dowset / CTV News)
“I’m getting too old and getting too close to 70.
The garage will be closed either at the end of this week or in the first week of July.
Baranovski said he still owns the building and hopes the exact offer will emerge that will give the area something it needs.
“I would like to see a small grocery store come in here. They need it down in the Exchange here – it would be a real improvement for the neighborhood. “
Rolls Royce works at JW McDonald Auto Service. (Source: Jamie Dowset / CTV News)
“IT’S DIFFICULT TO GET RID OF CUSTOMERS”
Although Baranovski is ready to move on, he said it would still be difficult to part with those he has helped over the years, adding that he has served vehicles from generations of the same family.
“It’s hard to break away from the clients you’ve worked with all these years. You know them all, everyone is like a friend, they are more than a customer. This is the hard part; the actual physical working part of it is not hard to get away. “
He said his clients are happy to hear that he is retiring, although they are sad to see him leave.
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