04/30/2023
After 41 years in business, Butler’s Tire & Auto will permanently close the doors of the business on June 2, 2023. This is a bittersweet season, as one chapter of a family business will close; but it is exciting as the senior mechanic, Erik Martin, will transition to a new position at Black’s Tire & Auto Service in Lumberton (Biggs Park Mall Location). More details on Erik’s new contact information is below.
Butler’s Tire and Auto was started in June 1982 by Erik’s father-in-law, Buddy Butler. The business changed names over the years – Butler’s Exxon, Butler’s Gulf, Butler’s BP, based on the fuel distributor’s name. The service station provided gas, auto/truck repair, along with a spot for the farmers, hunters, and locals to stop by, chat, gossip, and share stories over a “drink and a nab”. It was known to provide full service…customers pulled up to gas tanks, remained in their cars, and Buddy or an attendant would pump the gas, check the oil, wash the windshield, and check tire pressure if requested. Youngsters often remember receiving a piece of Super Bubble bubblegum while waiting in the car. Frances, Buddy’s wife, served as the secretary and both daughters could be seen after school and on weekends playing, chatting with customers, and later driving to pick up parts and learning the skills of running a business.
In 1995, the family expanded when the oldest daughter, Julie, started dating Erik Martin. Soon after Julie and Erik met, he joined the family business. Buddy taught Erik the skills of a mechanic and with that a passion was born.
The full-service gas station transitioned into a repair shop in early 2002 when the oil company that served the station for so many years reported that the fuel tanks underground needed to be removed. The tanks were removed, new dirt was hauled in, and a new parking lot was poured. Erik and Buddy served as mechanics together until Buddy became fully disabled in 2013 after an arachnoid cyst was removed from the frontal lobe of his brain.
As vehicles began to transition more into mobile computers, Erik realized the importance of evolving with the automobile’s technology. This meant he had to learn how to use new diagnostic tools to diagnose and repair today’s modern vehicles. Erik has strived to stay educated and up to date with this new technology. He can diagnose, calibrate and reprogram modules. He is also able to use a lab scope, his Snap-On Zeus diagnostic tool, and other methods to figure out complicated intermittent problems. He has become a friend/advisor to many mechanics in the area, as they call on him to ask his opinion on his field of expertise.
Closing the business has been a difficult decision. God has Blessed the Butler/Martin family for 41 years in Bladen County. For all those years, Clarkton has been home away from home and many lifelong friendships have been built. Our family is extremely thankful for all our customers over the years. However, transitioning to a new position will allow Erik the opportunity to focus on his passion of diagnosing and repairing automobiles without the tasks and stress of daily business operations.
Erik will begin his new position as technician/mechanic at Black’s Tire, located at 2902 N. Elm Street Lumberton, NC (at Biggs Park Mall) on June 5th. Raziel, Erik’s assistant mechanic, will also be joining him at Black’s Tire. Erik will still provide many of the same services he always has, including repair work, computer diagnostics, module programming, and recalibration. He looks forward to continuing to serve his existing clients and is excited to meet new folks in the Robeson county area. For a period, you can still contact Erik at the old business phone number (910) 647-5001, which will be forwarded to his cell phone. Or call Black’s Tire at 910-739-2877 for more information.
