Sikes & Stowe Inc. Downtown Collision reached its 85th year in business in 2011 and its owners say they are proud to have been Downtown during that span.
“We could’ve moved a couple of times, but Downtown has worked for us,” said owner John “Bud Jr.” Sikes III, who along with Laurie Mullarkey, his sister, continues the family business.
He pointed out that customers come from San Jose, San Marco, Riverside, Avondale, Ortega and the Northside.
Bud’s grandfather, John E. Sikes Sr., opened the shop in 1926 in Downtown Jacksonville and though its address changed a couple of times, the move has always occurred within the boundaries of Downtown.
Bud Jr. took over the business in 1999 after the death of his father, John “Bud Sr.” Sikes Jr.
Some of the changes he has seen include arrangements with auto insurance providers and the development of “big box” collision repair shops that are attached to major chains.
“Some of the big mega-shops have taken some business,” said Sikes. “But you don’t necessarily get better work from bigger shops.”
Insurance companies teaming up with repair shops became prevalent in the industry about 15 years ago, according to Sikes. He claims that 70 percent of his business is from insurance company referral.
Another change for Downtown businesses is a new mayor. Sikes was glad to take a phone call from Mayor Alvin Brown during the campaign to talk about the needs of Downtown businesses.
“I told him to make this side like the Southbank to make it more attractive for customers,” said Sikes.
Mullarkey wanted to see development completed of the LaVilla area.
Sikes and Mullarkey also are watching the development of a neighbor, the new Duval County Courthouse, which is nearing completion.
“We don’t know how that is going to affect business, but we’ll see,” said Sikes.
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