news-record.com

REIDSVILLE — About 30 years ago, Pennsylvania native Gary Childress, 61, opened an automobile upholstery shop at the corner of Harrison and Scales streets shortly after moving to Reidsville from Elkin.

Over the years, Childress developed quite a name for himself in the vintage automobile community.

Last week, he and his son Sandy reupholstered a 1960 Chevrolet Impala convertible belonging to Jule McMichael. The elder Childress has worked on several other cars for McMichael, but this was the last car Childress fixed up before locking the doors at his third location, 618-D S. Scales St.

He suffered a stroke in August. His doctor said Childress could not live alone or drive. Those two mandates forced Childress to make new plans for his future.

He is moving to Shelby to live with Sandy and his family. Childress taught Sandy the business several years ago, and now they will go into business together.

Father and son will become business partners at Kustom Auto Trim & Tops. The move also will give Childress more time with his grandchildren, Amy, 18; Kayla, 15; and Justin, 12.

When he was a child, Gary Childress’ parents moved to Elkin. After graduating from Surry Central High School in Dobson, Childress worked at his brother-in-law’s upholstery shop.

Eventually, Childress took a job in Winston-Salem putting vinyl tops on automobiles. He and his employer often came to Reidsville to work.

When Childress suggested they open a shop in Reidsville, they formed a partnership and opened a shop at the corner of Harrison and South Scales streets.

About a year later, Childress’ partner decided that he didn’t like traveling back and forth, and he sold Childress the shop.

As work picked up, Childress needed a larger shop. He moved to a building behind Howerton’s Auto Sales on Scales Street.

Then, he found a “bigger building with cheaper rent” where the new Reidsville Community Bank is located.

When the bank bought the corner property, Childress relocated his shop in the back of the building next door.

He does about any kind of interior work on cars, Childress said. His reputation has brought business from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia and Florida.

Since he has worked on “hundreds of them,” Childress can’t recall one specific car that he really enjoyed working on.

“There’s been too many to remember,” he said. “I just like taking the old ones and making them look good.”

Usually when someone had refurbished a car and needed upholstery, Childress was their choice.

“I am going to miss all the car guys,” Childress said. “Many have become close friends, and we enjoy talking cars.”

Reidsville native Ann Fish has lived in Eden since 1979. Contact her at annsomersfish@yahoo.com.