By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist

I don’t know about you, but when someone works on my car (sorry, youngsters) I like a little gray hair showing years of experience.

Well, Alabaster, the auto repair shop previously known as Alabaster Auto Service (next to City Court and behind City Hall) has been purchased by Bob Sapp and Butch McGiboney of Express Tire on 119 south of Butler Road. Now access to good service is located on both sides of Alabaster.

The transaction began in March, and the grand opening for the newly updated business (new paint, machinery, fencing, etc.) is June 11. Express Tire will have a booth at CityFest and new manager Ricky Tidmore will be on hand to answer your questions.

Alabaster Auto was the oldest continually operating repair and tire shop in Alabaster for more than 40 years. Bob Sapp saw this as a way to continue services for our local community.

Sapp did decide to keep his “team” on Highway 119 but hired a well-known, knowledgeable “tire man” (Tidmore) and let him hire his own team for west Alabaster.

Chance Smith (Sapp’s son) is the assistant manager, and David Rutherford is head mechanic. As business grows, so will the number of employees.

Tidmore, the manager, is a 1972 Thompson High School graduate. You might not know that he has been married to Judy Baker for nearly 40 years.

They married when Ricky was a junior and Judy a senior in high school.

She is in diagnostics at Shelby Baptist Medical Center.

The Tidmore’s owned and operated the BP gas station and Tidmore Tire for years.

Later, Ricky worked in a similar field in the Pelham area. He knows his job and struck me as being a “hands on” kind of manager.

His politeness and friendly working attitude should make for lots of repeat customers.

The Tidmore offspring are Tracy, Jeff and Robin.

There are six wonderful grandchildren, Yard work, the love of classic cars and hotrods, plus the hope of an Alaskan cruise to keep Tidmore young at heart.

For many years he was known for his 1955 Chevrolet convertible. Right now he drives a crimson and black Mustang convertible.

The Tidmores attend Pelham Church of God. Ricky wants grace, happiness and goodness to follow his children and grandchildren and is satisfied and blessed in his life.

Community columnist Sandra Thames can be reached by email at bobthames1942@yahoo.com.