Coonen’s Full Service, a family-owned car repair company that has existed in Menasha since 1938 and in Kimberly for the previous 10 years, may shortly be sold.
Auto repair, diagnostics, braking systems, transmission systems, oil changes, and more have been given to local clients by the auto repair company for almost 95 years.
Clients were accustomed to dropping off their vehicles and being met by one of the Coonens, whether it was Hank, who founded the business, Dave, who succeeded Hank, or Dave’s sons John and Pete, who took over when Dave retired.
Pete, who was now the only owner of the store, decided lately to pass the torch to a new owner who was not a member of the Coonen clan.
From father to son, the business created a passion for automobiles.
Hank Coonen launched Coonen’s Full Service on Kimberly Avenue in Kimberly for the first time in 1928. Over a decade later, the company moved to Third and De Pere in Menasha.
Before relocating to its current home at 812 Plank Road in 1976, the firm occupied two other full-service gas stations.
Pete stated that his grandfather’s initial business was one of the first to collaborate with U.S. Oil, a provider of gasoline distribution solutions including terminal assets, transportation logistics, supply trading, and wholesale fuel solutions. In 1958, the firm was also started in Kimberley.
Pete stated, “I believe it was 1975 when (my father and his brother) decided to leave the gas company.” They sold everything, becoming a subsidiary of U.S. Oil, and my uncle moved on.
Dave Coonen went on to construct the current facility and transform the firm into a service station for automobiles only, excluding the sale of gasoline.
Pete, who was 12 years old when his father constructed Coonen’s current facility, stated that growing up among automobiles inspired him to develop a fascination for them.
“I simply adored automobiles,” he stated. “I merely followed in the footsteps of my father and brother, and I had a few other jobs in between to try new things, but as soon as I finished my previous job, I was here every day.”
He stated that he was there so frequently that he thought he may as well remain, and after his brother John passed away in 2011, he seized full control of the store.
Twelve years later, Pete has taken the challenging decision to sell his firm and move on to the next stage of his life.
Pete stated, alluding to the sling on his arm after recent shoulder surgery, “I’m not going to retire since I’m just 58, but I’m going to leave the industry and find something else to do after this all heals.” “I will continue working for some time.”
Who will assume control of the family business?
On March 2, the company was formally transferred to Mike Gilson as its new owner. Pete recruited Gilson at the beginning of the year so that he could become familiar with the company and its clients. Pete’s prior expertise as a racecar driver and technician gives him confidence in his abilities to assume leadership of the company.
Pete stated, “Mike will be taking over; he is 38 years old and I believe he will be a terrific fit.” I simply believed it was an excellent chance for both of us.
Gilson stated that he has large shoes to fill, but he is enthusiastic about his ability to accomplish so.
Gilson remarked, “Given this family’s 95-year history here, it’s a challenge to keep moving forward.” “I want to make his family and my family proud by perpetuating the family name and his name for generations to come.”
While Gilson is the current owner of Coonen’s Full Service, the building is owned by Kimberly Halbach, the proprietor of Plank Road Pub, a bar and grill located adjacent to Coonen’s.
Pete stated that Halbach had been interested in adding the parking lot area from Coonen to her property for years. He informed her that she would not be able to get only the parking, so she offered to purchase the entire property.
Pete stated, “That was a very, very tough decision for me to make, and I discussed it with my wife. It was challenging, but we ultimately came to an agreement.”
The property was acquired by Halbach, and Gilson will lease it from her. Both sides said that they had no plans to make aesthetic adjustments to the business.
Gilson said, “There won’t be much of a change, there won’t be any price variations or anything like that; everything will remain the same.” “The same services will always be available, and I will always put in my best effort to ensure that consumers are satisfied. This is the most important factor, since if they’re pleased, so am I.”
While Gilson is officially running the firm, Pete said he’ll still be checking in, and customers may encounter him on any given day, but he has no doubts about the survival of his family’s history.
Pete stated, “I am confident in his accomplishment since I have observed him in the previous few months.” I don’t notice any problems whatsoever.