HAMLET – Monte Little offers his hand and you know that it represents his word.
With a grin and a pat on the back, he returns to the task of running his automotive repair business on Main Street in Hamlet, but only after ensuring that his latest customer is a satisfied one.
“Let me know of any more problems and we’ll handle it,” says Little, and you know that he means it.
Another “satisfied customer” is Johnny Cowick, who jokingly “reminds” Little that, given the amount of business that Cowick brings in to the shop, his radiator replacement work should be free.
Little grins, as do his technicians, John Grant and Bill McNair, at Cowick’s good-natured attempt, but the “deal” is never agreed to by the owner.
Operating on the corner of Main Street and Rice Street just west of downtown Hamlet, Little has been in business here since May of 2016.
“Just trying to make it work,” Little said after noting the significance of the guys’ kidding about his “K & R” (kinfolk and relatives) service. “It seemed that way for awhile, but it’s picked up a lot since those first couple of months.”
Evidently so; both Grant and McNair were fully engaged with their respective tasks on two vehicles, with others waiting to be serviced.
“We can do about anything that anybody needs,” says Grant, who has been an automotive technician for over 10 years, the last 6 months with Little.
McNair, with over 40 years of experience in the industry, agrees, indicating that his nine months with Little has been good for him and his boss.
“We all get along really good,” McNair said. “But we stay pretty busy.”
The shop is normally open for business 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, but Little made an exception recently when he opened up on a Saturday just to provide a free “oil change lesson” for a group of kids.
“Young people sometimes need a mentor or someone to look up to, so I like to help when I can,” Little says of his agreeing to spend his off day helping teenagers learn about automotive maintenance.
So drop by Little’s Automotive on Main Street in Hamlet and give Little some business, even if you aren’t a member of his “K & R” clientele. You’ll be glad you did.
