Tuscaloosa Body Shop to Close After 55 Years Repairing Vehicles

A body shop on the outskirts of downtown Tuscaloosa is closing after 55 years in business, during which time its staff repaired countless vehicles.

A spokesperson said in an announcement that Tillery's Body Shop & Wrecker Service opened in 1970 and will close at the end of the week.

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In the message sent to the Thread, Tillery's said they have repaired everything from compact cars to semitrucks and everything in between.

"55 years and 4 generations have worked here," a spokesperson wrote. "It was your all-in-one shop, all the way to towing and road service to needing gas, tire change, or lockout, mechanical repair, or body repair, there was nothing we couldn't do."

Owner James Tillery is retiring, and the shop will close its doors at 2255 17th Street near the Drish House later this week. Tillery will be spending time on the farm, fishing local rivers after the shop closes, but is accepting visitors this Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"If you've ever had this guy working on your vehicle, you know it was done correctly and timely," they wrote. "He has taught our family the value of hard work, the kindness of helping others, to always pull together when needed, and the satisfaction of doing the job right - the first time. He is a book of knowledge when it comes to cars, trucks, or tractor-trailers. However, after a lot of long hours and hard work, it's time to hang up the wrenches for a restful retirement. If you ask him, he's going to say he's just slowing down."

The shop staff and the Tillery family thanked Tuscaloosa for supporting their operations long enough to claim the title of the city's oldest body shop.

"We are hoping you will come by and see James Tillery on Friday, November 21st, from 10:00 to 2:00 pm. We would all love to see each one of you," they wrote.

This story was made possible thanks to information submitted to the Tuscaloosa Thread. If you have information about a nonprofit or local organization and would like to see it published, don't hesitate to get in touch with editor Stephen Dethrage at stephen.dethrage@townsquaremedia.com.