Bump in the road

If you walk into Way's Garage on James Island, it might look full and busy, but owner Bill Hughes has never seen business so bleak during the 14 years he's owned the neighborhood shop.

In better times, he saw 12 to 15 cars a day. Now, amid the recession, he's lucky to get three or four. He can afford to keep only three mechanics, when five or six years ago he had six.

Some might think that car owners would take better care of their vehicles because they can't afford to buy new ones, but that isn't what Hughes sees.

People just aren't maintaining their cars as well as they should.

The West Ashley resident finds tires and brakes worn all the way down. He tells his clients, but they don't have the money for repairs.

Customers come in for an oil change and other inexpensive services, but they're putting off the pricier maintenance and repairs.

Hughes recently had a customer who came in with shot brakes and tires before leaving for a trip to Florida. He warned her that her vehicle wouldn't make the trip without breaking down.

However, she said she simply didn't have the money to fix it and would deal with it when it happened.

His business might be struggling, but it's the only one he knows.

He just hopes he can hold on until people take better care of their cars again and have the money to do so.