Currently viewing the tag: "Straffy Lawyer"

Deb Abraham Spalding

Straffy Lawyer retired from his life-long career as a mechanic, having worked with his brother, Dave, and father, Strafford, since he was a youngster in the various service garages owned by the family. Straffy, and his wife, Patti, operated Lawyer’s Automotive on Jimtown Road in Thurmont since the 1980s. In 2016, ownership was purchased by Straffy’s son, Chad, until this past October when a new owner, Mark Breeden (pictured right), purchased the shop. Breeden said, “Straffy and Patti still stop in to say ‘Hi.’” Breeden is originally from Loudon County, Virginia, but moved to Thurmont to be with his love interest, Tanzy Logue. The couple have a son together, Brody Breedon. Upon moving, Breeden started working for Straffy at Lawyer’s Automotive.

He stayed on through the transition of ownership from Straffy to Chad, then he officially purchased the business on October 5, 2018. Since then, he said, “Things have been going great!”

He prides himself on integrity while running the business. In the past, he’s flat out quit working at other garages when he didn’t agree with the under-handed treatment of customers to make a buck. Breeden’s high standard of business is drawing customers, not only locally, but from as far as Olney, Mt. Airy, and Frederick. If a vehicle needs costly repairs, he will flesh out a plan for repair over time so the customer doesn’t have to shell out several thousand dollars all at once. In cases where he finds a more serious safety problem while performing a standard repair, he’ll make sure it is repaired before leaving the shop.

Breeden gathered his career experience beginning as an apprentice at Koon’s Ford in Sterling, Virginia. There, he became a mechanic and diesel tech, he was Ford Certified and ASE Certified. Next, he worked at a tire and auto center in Leesburg, Virginia. After about six years, he became a heavy equipment mechanic for a construction company. Finally, he worked at a transmission shop where he became ATRA certified in Purcellville, Virginia, until meeting Tanzy and moving to Thurmont.

He loves owning his own shop. “Right now,” Breeden said, “I am doing all the paperwork, all the billing, all the selling, and half the work. Did I mention we are hiring?”

Lawyer’s Automotive performs vehicle repair and maintenance from oil changes and tires to transmissions and exhaust. If Breeden can’t fix it, he recommends trusted local professionals who can.

Stop by to give the new Lawyer’s a try. Lawyer’s Automotive is open Mondays through Fridays, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The shop is located at 13910-B Jimtown Road in Thurmont. Call 301-271-2736 for more information.