The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Unfounded rumors hurting local business
Owner handicapped by neurological disorder
By Kathleen Conat, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: July 31, 2008
T & R Firestone is here to stay.
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That's the message owner Tim Croll and his employees want to get out in the wake of rumors that the 14-year-old car repair business would soon be closing its doors.
"We aren't going anywhere," confirmed Rick St. Charles, manager of T & R, which is located in the small automotive complex at the corner of Hewitt and Ellsworth roads, behind the 7-11 store.
Croll said the business lost between $10,000 and $12,000 in customers during each of the past two months because of the "vicious rumor" being spread by their competitors. Customers were being told by other businesses their warranties and guarantees would not be honored because it was going out of business, according to Croll.
Croll wants people to know the business is open and intends to stay that way. He and St. Charles said upset customers had notified them that they had been told of the alleged closing by an Ann Arbor-area repair shop and local auto parts store.
Croll, himself, has suffered a life-changing trauma. In February, he became very ill with what was diagnosed as transverse myelitis, a very rare neurological disorder caused by an inflammation across a level or segment of the spinal cord. In Croll's case, neurologists at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital suspect the original inflammation was caused by a virus.
The inflammation causes scarring of the spinal cord that disrupts the communication between nerves in the cord and the rest of the body. At the most critical time of his illness, Croll was paralyzed from his chest down.
Now, he is able to walk short distances with the aid of braces and canes. He credits the physical therapy staff at St. Joe's, along with the neurologists there, for his having come so far.
It is possible, although not probable, that his condition may improve over years, but in Croll's case he's been told that is not likely.
In addition, transverse myelitis can lead to multiple sclerosis. Although Croll has exhibited no signs of that irreversible disease, he is tested for it every few months.
Croll and his wife, Robin, are supported solely by the income from T & R Firestone. They sank their life savings into the business when they started it and would be left destitute and without insurance were it to fail. Robin runs the books for the company.
But, Rich St. Charles and Jeremy Huddleston, employees at the business, are determined that will not happen.
"I would die for Tim," said St. Charles, who has been working at T & R for five years. "We've been best friends for about 15 years. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for him."
With the skilled aid of recently hired mechanic Andy Graddy, the two men are running the business for Croll and, until two months ago, were actually seeing profits ahead of the previous year.
Then, suddenly, business began to drop off. The employees were stunned when a customer walked in one day, upset because she had heard they were closing.
Croll now says he is seeking legal advice and intends to take action against the competitors to which they've traced the false story. He said although he is licensed to use the Firestone name, he's an independent owner while the Ann Arbor-based store is a company-owned entity.
"These are vicious rumors put out by people who are trying to take advantage of my disability," Croll said. "They've taken an enormous toll on my wife and my family, including these guys who have come through for me.
"Those companies think I can't defend myself. But, I have people counting on me for jobs and customers who trust us and are counting on us to keep their cars running. I don't intend to let them down."
T & R Firestone is located at 2272 Ellsworth Road. Ypsilanti. Hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 434-2400.
Kathleen Conat is a longtime Ypsilanti resident and freelance writer for The Courier. She can be reached through editor@ypsilanticourier.com.
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