30 Years of Quality Care with Steve’s Tire and Automotive
By Evangeline Hemrick
When you first arrive at Steve’s Tire & Automotive, you will be greeted by someone from the Hemrick family. Steve Hemrick’s goal is that everyone who walks into his auto shop is treated like family. Recently celebrating the 30th anniversary of his automotive business in the town he loves, his story spans three decades of dedicated service for this family-owned business.
Steve’s shop offers a full range of auto repair services for foreign, domestic, and light trucks. “We offer all major brands of tires, striving to get the best tire for the lowest price for our customers. We also offer NC inspections and basic oil changes, as well as all types of mechanical repairs including shocks, brake repairs, fluid changes, struts, tune-ups, timing belts, water pumps, diagnostic testing, and A/C maintenance,” Steve goes on to say, “Customer satisfaction is our top priority. I want to thank our customers for the outstanding Google reviews they give us. We would not be here without great customers.”
Hard work and determination are nothing new for local entrepreneur Steve Hemrick. The youngest of five children, he began cleaning classrooms at Yadkinville Middle School at the age of 12. He also worked helping farmers prime tobacco until his family arrived in Kernersville in 1978. At fifteen years old, Steve moved into the historic Rufus Hastings House on Main Street with his parents and four siblings, where they lived until 1997.
Tinkering with fast cars became Steve’s passion when he turned sixteen. He loved cruising around town with his friends in their hot rod cars and hanging out in the downtown historic district of Kernersville, which looked much different than it does today. Steve says, “I have watched this town grow so much over the past forty-six years. I am proud to call Kernersville home. My wife and I travel a lot, but there is nowhere I would rather live than this beautiful town.”
Steve drove a school bus while attending East Forsyth High School. After graduation, he remained a Kernersville resident while working at Guilford Mills in Greensboro from 1982 to 1985. He landed his first job in the auto maintenance industry at Mike’s Amoco in Friendly Center, Greensboro, and worked there until 1994. During his years at Mike’s Amoco in Greensboro, Steve learned mechanical work as a service technician and began handling inventory and tire sales.
One customer says,
“This is our go-to place for our cars. They have wonderful staff and helpful, dependable service. If you are looking for a good, local mechanic in Kernersville, this is the place for you.”
Mike Ingel, owner of Mike’s Amoco, saw something special in Steve and became his mentor. Steve McCoin was also a key influence in Steve’s professional development at Mike’s Amoco. One day, Mike took Steve to breakfast and told him he wanted to help him start his own business. This was the beginning of Steve’s journey as an entrepreneur.
In May 1994, Steve opened the Shell Station on Highway 66 in Kernersville, purchasing the business from Jack Wilcox. He would later purchase the Bodenhamer location from Jack in 2005. While he was busy managing both locations and developing the Bodenhamer site, his first wife, Patricia, ran the Highway 66 Shell gas station with assistance from Gerald Johnson. In May 2005, Steve sold the Highway 66 Shell gas station back to Quality Oil.
Steve wanted to concentrate specifically on expanding the auto garage business. “After we sold the Shell Station, it was such a relief to focus solely on the auto service and tire business at the Bodenhamer location, which is where I loved to be,” Steve continued. “I enjoy focusing on the customer’s happiness because they are my friends, and this is my community.”
Following the unexpected passing of his first wife, Patricia, Steve’s life changed when a foster child from Patricia’s side of the family came into his life. He became a single dad for several years, raising young Austin with the support of his other two children, until he met his second wife, Angela, in 2015. Angela and Steve finalized the adoption of their son Austin in 2023. Steve now has three children and one grandson, who you might meet when you come into the shop.
Steve’s daughter, Brittany Hemrick, joined the family business in 2016, managing the office and running the front desk. Steve’s son, Stephen Hemrick, became part of the team in 2019, after graduating from East Carolina University. Steve manages a team of eight who all work together to keep the vehicles of Kernersville running. Some of his team members are dear friends who have been with him for three decades including Tom Brichollo, Gerald Johnson, Joe Tester, Patricia Crandall, and Tommy Gibson, to name a few. So far, he has mentored three employees who have now started their own automotive businesses.
Steve feels it is important to give back to the community that has shown him so much support over the years. One of the best parts of small business ownership for him is supporting good causes in Kernersville. Steve’s Tire & Auto supports organizations such as Triad Baptist Church, The Lion’s Club, The Shepherd’s Center, Rotary Club, Kernersville Police Department, and Kernersville Fire Department. Steve also has a passion for modified car racing and has proudly sponsored Grady Jefferson’s modified car racing team on the SMART tour, “Shady Grady Racing,” since 2021. In 2023, Steve’s Tire and Auto was awarded Business of the Month by the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce.
What does the future hold for Steve’s Tire & Automotive? Steve says, “We are excited to expand and have several remodeling projects planned. We would like to make our waiting area and lobby much larger for our customer’s comfort. We also look forward to opening two more bays in our back garage and two additional bays in our existing building.”