Staff Photo by Charles Boothe: Bobby Guill, the owner of Franklin Auto Glass, is celebrating the business 25th anniversary with an event Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m. at his store on Franklin Street in Rocky Mount.
By CHARLES BOOTHE - Staff Writer
It was a hot day in June in 1986 when Bobby Guill opened the doors of Franklin Auto Glass.
Guill is celebrating the 25th anniversary of that opening this weekend, but the first year of business was not an easy one.
After working for another glass company in Roanoke for 10 years, Guill had decided it was time to venture out on his own.
"With $2,500, a pickup truck and a borrowed, empty shop (U.S. 220), I was ready to go," he said, adding that he quickly realized he had no phone service and rushed to pay the bill.
"Once my line had been reconnected, the phone still didn't ring for at least two weeks, with the exception of a few wrong numbers," he said. "My wife would call once in a while just to encourage me, but she would never buy anything!"
When it did start ringing, though, he was in for a surprise.
"Apparently someone had driven through town and shot out several plate glass windows," Guill said. "People, including the police, were calling to find out where I was on the night of the shooting. These were not the calls I was hoping for. Thank goodness I was not in the business of providing flat (plate glass) at that time."
Working from that building, Guill eventually rented a one-stall garage from Tony and Linda Grice on Claiborne Avenue. The space was small, he said, and some glass had to be stored in the bathroom.
"We stayed there for six months, until I purchased the building that we now occupy (on Franklin Street)," he said.
Even getting a business license was not easy.
"Allen Woody was the long-time mayor of Rocky Mount when I applied for my business license," Gill said, but Woody was afraid a "bunch of old cars" would litter up the street.
Woody did give him a license, one month at a time, "just in case things didn't work out."
With all the initial difficulties, Guill persevered, hiring his first employee, Charlotte Laprade.
"During my first year of business, there were many weeks when I did not receive a paycheck," he said. "Many days, I would cut a few pieces of glass and then change clothes (the only change of clothes he owned) to go make sales calls."
Guill said people like "Doc" Ramsey, Pete Craddock, Gil Farmer, Clifford Swanson and Clyde Hodges were all helpful.
"I had already met most of the local insurance agents, and they were all thrilled to see a local man succeed in helping to keep tax dollars and jobs in the county," he said.
"We could not have made it without the support of these and so many good friends, customers and, of course, the fine and friendly folks of Franklin County," he added.
Guill said he has seen a lot of changes over the last 25 years, and he has had to diversify his services to keep up.
"We began with automotive glass repair and replacement, but soon added additional services, such as storefront repair and installation, shower doors and enclosures, and custom mirror fabrication," he said, adding that those services continue to expand.
"We always put the customer first and work hard to make dealing with us a pleasant experience," he said.
Guill said Ron Scott has been with his business for 24 years, and office manager Cindy Templin has been there for 22 years. Other employees include Jay Robertson, King Gould and Phillip Pickeral.
Guill said being in the glass business was not his first choice when he was a youngster.
"When I was a kid I said to my dad, 'When I grow up, I want to be a drummer'," he said.
But his dad told him, "I'm sorry son, you can't have it both ways."
He chose a way to make a living, but did not give up on playing the drums.
"I am also a drummer/singer on the side," he said.
Guill's band, Flashback, will provide the entertainment at the store's celebration. The other band members include Jim Ludington, Raymond Howell and Billy Whitt.
The store's 25th anniversary celebration, which is a "thank you celebration for our loyal customers, friends and the public," Gull said, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, June 26 in front of the store at 270 Franklin Street.
Besides the entertainment, there will be hot dogs and drinks for everyone, a puppet show and door prizes.
Rocky Mount Town Council last week approved a request from Guill to close off Franklin Street in front of his store between High Street and Claiborne Avenue for the celebration.
Guill said everyone should bring lawn chairs to the free event and enjoy the festivities.
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