Sponsored by: Investment Center

Something new in your business?  Click here to submit your business press release

Chamber Corner | Main Street News | Job Hunt | Classifieds | Calendar | Illinois Lottery 

Richardson Repair Service Celebrating 30 Years

Send a link to a friend

[March 28, 2008]  ELKHART -- This Saturday, Richardson Repair will be observing its 30th year in downtown Elkhart.

[Pictured (left to right): Kathy Cosby, Bill Cosby, Andy Cosby; (front, right) Don Stanfield, Nick Hinds and Mark Hinds]

The business owned and operated by Bill Cosby (not the comedian), his wife, Kathy, and son Andy invites area residents, especially lawn care enthusiasts, to stop by and kick the tires on the full line of Simplicity mowers. The shop offers sales, parts and service for Simplicity mowers as well as other equipment, including utility vehicles, tillers and snow throwers.

The location at 112 Gov. Oglesby St. has been a busy site in Elkhart going back to when it was a Massey Harris dealership in the 1940s.

Cosby, who is from Broadwell, originally was a young repairman in the agriculture business at "Bob and Jim's" in Mount Pulaski when he was told by a neighbor that J.D. Richardson was thinking of retiring and Bill might want to look into buying his business.

Richardson was well-known in the area not only for his repair work but also his welding acumen. He had a good business and was getting up in years. So Cosby gave him a call. "I called J.D. and he said he wasn't interested in retiring, but that when he decided to, he would give me a call. Three days later he called me back." And as they say, "the rest is history."

Since the name was so well-known in the community, Cosby decided to keep the name as Richardson Repair Service and has not found a need to change it to this day.

[to top of second column]

Cosby stated he has had a good year, especially last fall, and hopes for continued success, although the gasoline and energy prices have him just as nervous as other retailers. "People might start keeping their wallets in their pockets if this doesn't turn around," Cosby reflected. Still, his products, which to many lawn care enthusiasts are essential items, might not be subjected to a downward spiral in the economy, and Cosby looks positively at the future.

By far, the leading mower at the store is the Simplicity Zero Turn model. "Besides being great around landscape and trees, the model has a patented full suspension so you can mow for a long time without feeling like you need a kidney belt," Cosby laughed.

This model, as well as the entire line of Simplicity mowers, plus other lawn and garden accessories by other manufacturers will all be out for this weekend's open house.

Cosby, again showing he has his own comedic flare, explained that he also sells other equipment with long foreign names; items include trimmers, chain saws and blowers by Shindaiwa and Maruyama.

The open house date is March 29 and the hours are from 8 a.m. till 4 p.m. The public is invited. After an extremely harsh winter, it might be fun to think about one's lawn this weekend instead of another foot of snow. The Cosbys will be happy to help you get ready for that first lawn mowing in style.

[By MIKE FAK]

Readers can find more of Mike Fak's writing at www.searchwarp.com and www.problogs.com.

< Recent articles

Back to top


 

News | Sports | Business | Rural Review | Teaching & Learning | Home and Family | Tourism | Obituaries

Community | Perspectives | Law & Courts | Leisure Time | Spiritual Life | Health & Fitness | Teen Scene
Calendar | Letters to the Editor