The Wells County Chamber of Commerce staff and Ambassadors welcomed Eric Bucher, owner of Parlor City Oil Shop, with a ribbon cutting to celebrate his new business. Parlor City Oil Shop is located at 1309 South Main Street in Bluffton.

Pictured in the photo from left, Erin Daugherty of State Farm, Doug Fear of Edward Jones, Nick Huffman of Steffen Group, Nile Bucher, Trent Bucher of Honegger-Ringger & Co, Casey Robbins of Farmers & Merchants State Bank, Kendyl Bucher of Parlor City Oil Shop, Piercen Harnish of Shelton Financial, Garrett Bucher of Youth for Christ, Collins Bucher and Eric Bucher of Parlor City Oil Shop, Kody Kumfer of Forgotten Children Worldwide, Kelli Bucher, Thom Miller of Caylor-Nickel Foundation Family YMCA, Kent Thompson, Keith Muhlenkamp of First Merchants Bank, Julie Rupp of Cupp Real Estate, Tim Hallman YMCA Metro, Charlie Thompson of Fairway Flooring, Chris Crabtree of the Office of Jim Banks, Stacey Duncan of WEG Commercial Motors, Wells County Chamber executive director Erin Prible, Kevin Pritchard of Ruoff Mortgage and Cyndee Fiechter of North Eastern Group Realty. (Photo submitted)

Bucher is a native of Wells County and always had an inspiration of owning a business. Bucher stated that his father and father-in-law own their own businesses, and this inspired him to do the same. “I have always wanted to work for myself and once Kent Beer sold this business, I decided to take a leap of faith. Here I am and I couldn’t be happier.”

Bucher was previously working for the State Highway Department and part of his job was doing light mechanical work on equipment and machines. “I have always worked with my hands and it’s something I really enjoy doing,” said Bucher. “I also worked at the stone quarry inspecting trucks and fixing the machines, so I gained a lot of experience over the years.”

“People seem to be happy that we are opening our doors again,” explained Bucher. “There is a huge client base with Dedrick’s previously owning the business, then Kent Beer, and now I want to keep it going. We will have the same great local experience you have come to know and love from the past. I want to be the best oil change place in town and be historic like Kelly’s Kwik Change.”

Bucher said, “I have priced my services to be $10 to $15 lower than store competitors because I don’t have the overhead like the others. I don’t have to pay employees because it is just me working the business. Bluffton has a lot of family-owned businesses and it’s important we support them.”

“I may take a little longer than 10 minutes to change your oil; however, I am going to make sure your vehicle is done right,” explained Bucher. “I also want to get to know my customers and have a relationship with them.”

The car wash behind the building is currently not operable and Bucher’s future goal is to get it running again. The adjacent side of the building has a large space that Bucher is open to leasing. 

Parlor City Oil Shop offers oil changes, checks tire pressure, will top off fluids. It’s open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Appointments are not needed unless a customer would need accommodations after hours.

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