Scott’s Auto Revs Up Business In Ord
by Kate Wolf
It might have been a cold and blustery winter afternoon on Jan. 21 but, inside the new Scott’s Auto in downtown Ord, the atmosphere was filled with the warmth of welcome and congratulations for the Ord Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony. Plants, flowers, candy bouquets, balloons and gifts decorated the customer service area. Merchants, local businessmen, Chamber dignitaries, family members, friends and loyal customers all met to offer support and encouragement to Ord’s newest downtown business.
Scott Philbrick, son of Bud and Connie Philbrick of Ord and a 1994 OHS graduate, has had mechanics in his blood since he was just a young boy. He probably cut his teeth on mechanics tools helping his Grandpa Rich Lola and partner Frank Hora at L & H Repair in Elyria. By the age of 14, he already knew his way around automotive engines working part time at G & R after school. He attended Southeast Community College at Milford to further his education and had many highly respected mentors along the way, men such as Chuck Lundstedt in North Loup, Nick Clement in Scotia and Darcy Severance in Ord.
“I appreciate everything my previous employers have offered me,” Philbrick commented. “If it wasn’t for them, there’s no way I’d be here right now.”
It must be genetic. In addition to Grandpa Lola, Scott’s father, Bud Philbrick, always enjoyed working on cars or restoring them and he was a charter member of Valley Rods since 1975. Scott has been tagging along after Dad ever since. Even now Scott’s grandson, Aiden Weverka who is only an eighth grader, comes to work at his grandfather’s shop every day after school, learning the ropes from the two men in his life that he most respects and admires. That makes him the fourth generation in the family with a passion for cars.
But starting a new business is always fraught with anxiety and more than a little fear, even in a city as welcoming and supportive as Ord. Am I doing the right thing? Are we going to make it? What do I need to know in order to run my own business? Philbrick admits to having these concerns and truly, in this present economy, who wouldn’t? By September of 2021 he decided to take the plunge and bought the old Phillips 66 station on the corner of 16th and K Streets. But his strong reputation for excellent diagnostics, exemplary service and quality workmanship has given him a very loyal customer base.
“The community has been great to me,” Philbrick remarked with sincere appreciation. “I’m actually kind of surprised that so many people followed me over here.”
The building, built in 1970, has been remodeled, repainted and had some concrete work completed in front. Philbrick knows, however, that when it comes to fixing up an old building, nothing is ever truly “done”, so additional work is planned for the future. Running a business continues to be a learning experience.
It’s everything a family operation is intended to be. Everyone helps out to some degree and pitches in whenever needed. Scott and Kyla are true partners in every sense of the word. She did all the painting and helps keep the books.
“The amount of support we’ve had from the community is just unbelievable,” she commented. Scott and Kyla have two daughters, Jamie and Devon, as well as four grandchildren: Aiden, Miles, Kendyl and Hayes.
“My goal is to figure out how to get it (the building) paid for and to keep current in my training,” Scott Philbrick stated. Towards that end, he has intensive diagnostics training and business management courses coming up in Kansas City this spring. Until then, he will be working, often until 7-8 p.m. every evening in order to meet the needs of his customers.
“I am so proud of our son and what he has been able to accomplish,” Mom Connie Philbrick commented with a tear of pride in her eyes. “We both are.” Ord is too….it’s always great to see a hometown kid stick around after graduation and go on to succeed.
