Castlegar Stuart Ady
A strong sense of community has given Stuart Ady and his wife, Mary Ann, a deeper connection to their customers
| Name: | Stuart Ady |
| Business: | Ernie's Used Auto Parts |
| Year in business: | 29 |
| Grew up in: | Castlegar |
| Downtime activities: | Volunteering, boating, skiing, ATVing, gardening, restoring a 1969 Mach I, spending time with family. |
Stuart Ady’s father brought Stuart into the family business, Ernie’s Used Auto Parts, a gas station with towing services, in 1980. At the same time, Stuart and his wife, Mary Ann—whom Stuart describes as a full partner in all of their ventures—began an auto wrecking business that was incorporated into the existing company. When Stuart’s father passed away in 1991, Stuart and Mary Ann took over the business in full and have seen it grow and evolve to become one of the most respected businesses in Castlegar. And at the same time, Mary Ann and Stuart are becoming recognized for their strong community roots, serving their customers with honesty and integrity and maintaining a harmonious working relationship.
“Whatever happens around here, where I’m weak, she’s strong and where she’s weak, I’m strong,” said Stuart. “That’s how this business really works.”
The Adys are dedicated to supporting the community that supports them and involve themselves in various civic events and organizations; Stuart helps with the volunteer fire department and Mary Ann works with Communities in Bloom.
“I’m never good at just giving people money,” said Stuart. “I don’t want to just donate things; I’d rather put my time in.”
Stuart’s connection to the community is multi-layered. On the most pragmatic level, the people in Castlegar are his customer base, but they are also his friends.
“We do have accounts throughout North America, but we do depend on the local community for the base of our company,” he said. “What you give, you get back.”
Photo by Douglas Noblet
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