NICK GOSNELL and RICK KRAUS
Hutch Post
SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Market South Hutch Business of the Month is Tom's Detail Shop. According to owner Tom Hoffman, he's been in the same place for a long time.
"I started the business 27 years ago in 1995," Hoffman said. "I was 24 years old and we've been here ever since. We do auto detailing and Scorpion spray-in bed liner."
The business started out as a way to supplement income and grew from there.
"I've always had a passion of keeping my own vehicles clean," Hoffman said. "I just like to keep things clean. I've always been kind of a picky person. I started doing it in the corner of this shop. I rented this shop from a guy, just a corner of it and just kind of doing it on the side. I was working part-time at UPS, so I needed something to do in my spare time, so I just started doing it in the corner of this shop. It took off, so I rented half the shop and then it took off even more, so I rented the full shop and then I bought the place."
Hoffman said he did both for three years before he could go on his own full-time. He currently has three employees.
"In the summertime, sometimes I'll hire a school kid or something like that part time to help out, because we get really busy in the summer," Hoffman said.
He also still does some work himself, especially when they are really busy. He chose South Hutch, as it is home.
"I grew up here," Hoffman said. "I went to school here, grade school, high school. I've always been in South Hutch. I have rental houses, as well and they're all in South Hutch."
Going the extra mile for customers is just part of doing business, according to Hoffman.
"Just because our hours are 8 to 5 doesn't mean it stops there," Hoffman said. "People call me, text me. If a customer can't get down here and pick their car up by 5, that's not an issue. We'll meet you, whenever you tell us to be here, we'll be here. I have a loaner vehicle. We try to make it as easy as possible."
They are also the only ones in town that do spray-in bedliners for trucks. Hoffman is looking forward to his annual special next month on his detail service.
"Every year, on my anniversary date, which is February 6, I run a promotion for $25 off any deluxe detail and nano treatment, which is my premium package detail for a vehicle," Hoffman said. "I run that for the month of February. If you schedule it in February, we'll honor it in March, too."
The cost of the chemicals and other supplies necessary to do the detail work has been a challenge for Hoffman lately, but he and his staff take pride in the reputation they have built and it is their goal to keep prices under control as much as possible and keep the customers that have been so loyal to him through the pandemic.
Tom's Detail Shop is located at 110 North Walnut in South Hutchinson and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.