Adair’s Harkins Service marks 80 years

Eight decades after his grandfather Tiny and father Bob Harkins started Harkins Service in Adair, Scott Harkins remains committed to the same dedication and customer service those earlier generations established.

Scott greeted many loyal customers last Thursday as birthday cake and coffee were served to celebrate the shop’s 80th anniversary.

Harkins Service opened in 1945 just south of its current location on White Pole Road. Two years later, the current building — erected by Betts and Beer Construction — became that company’s first commercial project.

“As soon as I was old enough to crawl I was in here,” Harkins said. “I’d pump gas as a kid and grew up working on stuff in here. I’d go out with my dad in the tow truck when I was a kid and everything else.”

At the time the station opened, gas cost 25 cents per gallon. The business began with one wrecker, tire repairs were 35 cents and grease jobs cost $1.

The Harkins family became known for always answering emergency calls, even when call volume rose sharply after Interstate 80 opened in Adair County around 1960.

“Even today, we’re out on the interstate about every day for something anymore,” Harkins said.

About two decades after the interstate opened, Scott officially became a partner in the business. In 1988, the station stopped selling gas because of environmental regulations.

Harkins and his primary employee, Terry Vorrath, still operate a wrecker and frequently respond to calls on Interstate 80.

Harkins, 69, who spent decades as an EMT for Adair Fire and Rescue and remains a volunteer firefighter, has no plans to slow down.

“We’re here every day of the year. We’ve never taken a day off — it didn’t matter whether it’s Christmas, Fourth of July, whatever — and it’s still that way today,” he said.

Asked how many cars he has pulled from ditches in his career, Harkins didn’t hesitate: “Thousands.”

He said he’s grateful for the friends and customers he has gained over the years.

“I’ve got some really good friends and some really good customers,” Harkins said. “We’ll be here until someone says I shouldn’t be, but 80 years is quite an accomplishment.”