Business Tribute

Jim’s celebrates 40 years

in the automotive business

By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer

    MAPLETON — A local car dealer is marking a major milestone this year, celebrating 40 years of providing customers with quality used vehicles suitable for any need.

 Jim Burrill, owner of Jim’s Automotive, turned a love of automobiles into a life-long career, first opening his doors in the mid-1970s.
    “I started in November 1974 as Jim’s Automotive Cleanup, when I left Slipp’s and took over a building on the Houlton Road. I detailed cars and vehicles for dealers and the public,” said Burrill. “I love cars and have worked with vehicles, in one way or another, since I was a teenager.”
    Around 1978 he moved in town, locating on Main Street.
    “I moved to Main Street next to Gary’s Home Appliance (the former Napa building, next to Harry’s Motorsports) and near McDonald’s. I took on used car sales in 1983,” he said.
    His next move took him to North Street.
    “In 1985 I located across from the former Zayre store — now TAMC’s walk-in clinic — purchasing the former donut shop. I enlarged the building to allow for more bays and offices and also hot-topped the yard. In addition to detailing and sales, I added mechanical services and repairs,” said Burrill.
    After nearly 20 years on North Street, Burrill decided to move the business to his home in Mapleton.
    “I moved to 557 Griffin Ridge Rd., making it a home business, in 2003,” said Burrill.
    Burrill credited his employees for his years of success.
    “I’d like to recognize some of my many employees for their dedication to my business, which made the company a success. They include: Gilman Caron, Holly Higgins, Sue Young, Karen Winslow, Paul Devost, Randy Handren, Harold Tardy, Dick Guyan, Lynn Ouellette and Tammy Easler, to name a few,” Burrill said.
    At present, he’s still detailing vehicles on a limited basis, with the help of Bryan Ouellette.
    “I’m still buying and selling vehicles bought from local dealers and private sales, using local garages and body shops to perform repairs and service,” said Burrill. “I’m also doing classic vehicle appraisals. I started that in the late ‘70s. That’s a job that’s taken me all over the state.”
    For more information, call Burrill at 762-5131.

Photos courtesy of Jim Burrill

 JIM’S AUTOMOTIVE is now a home-based business for owner Jim Burrill, who moved the outfit to his 557 Griffin Ridge Road address around 2003.

 CARS parked at Jim’s Automotive on Main Street around 1983 offered customers a selection of affordable used vehicles.

     A CAR WASH at Jim’s Automotive on North Street was a common sight — be it for a fundraiser or employees washing down vehicles for sale on the lot.