On The Road Again Auto Repair, at 1410 Frink Street in Cayce, has roots in the past, but it’s also open to innovation, where local high school students can get real-world experience and maybe even a job. (Feature Photo: Cayce Mayor Elise Partin and Andrew Finch)

Andrew Finch is the owner. He opened his shop in 2015 and has grown since. On The Road Again Auto Repair is a local and dependable auto shop you can trust for repairs or preventative maintenance.

“Our top priority is complete customer satisfaction,” Andrew said. “And we’re proud of our reputation. “We work to keep our customers happy. Most of our business comes from repeat customers and our new customers come here because they’ve heard about us from someone who has had work done here before.”

Mike McElveen is the veteran mechanic at the shop.

Not only does Andrew pride himself on quality service, the property on which On The Road Again sits is the site of a 1950s Esso gas station. To commemorate that past, Andrew has used old  truck parts and other materials to add the feel of the golden age of American-made cars. He has a bench made with an old Chevy truck tailgate and a vintage bumper. The awning above the shop entrance is the hood of a 1930s truck. Two old-timey looking gas pumps, made from barrels, are on an island in front of On The Road Again.

Cayce Mayor Elise Partin described On The Road Again Auto Repair  as an organically grown business that has become an important part of the Cayce community. She also said she appreciates Andrew’s form of expression.

“The old gas tanks are neat,” she said. “It’s a piece of art and details a part of our history.”
In addition to his respect for the past, Andrew recruits young people who can train to become the future owners of businesses.

Dylan Morey is a Brookland-Cayce High School student who learned auto repair at the Lexington Two Innovation Center, off of 12th Street  in Cayce. He is now a full-time mechanic at On The Road Again Auto Repair. Two Airport High students, Malcolm Watts and Juan Tenjhay, who are taking auto repair classes, work part-time at the shop. Derek Thornton teaches auto repair at the Innovation Center.

It’s forward-thinking that the next generation, from the innovation center, is working,” Partin said. “They’re learning life-changing skills.  It’s a good thing to expose kids to career options. It saves time and money and they can find out if it’s the right fit.”

Andrew said he has been in the auto repair business for more than 20 years. He said once he opened his own shop, he has not looked back. And he’s glad to train young people coming into the workforce. He also said he’s always looking for a good mechanic to hire, with experience.

Partin said On The Road Again Auto Repair is a good example of why Cayce is a great place to open a business. “We want you to be a part of our community.”