Serving Peru and the North Country for 60 Years
By John T. Ryan
Peru – The staff at K&S Body Works at 780 Telegraph Rd. is #45 in our Peru Gazette photo series featuring people who make Peru a great place to live. It was 60 years ago in 1958, when Karl and Shirley Schweikert transformed the Schweikert family dairy barn into an auto body shop. Karl was the auto body man and Shirley handled the bookkeeping. Karl recalls, “When we first started we plowed snow, dug ditches, installed septic tanks. Anything you needed done we did.”
In 1982 the Schweikert’s son Karl Schweikert IV came to work and in 1985 a large building adjoining the original shop was constructed. Karl IV’s son Keenan, joined the staff in 2008. Both Keenan and his dad say, “I grew up in this place.”
Karl Schweikert IV took over management in 1994. He describes K&S Body Works as doing good work for a good price. He said, “We do a little bit of everything. If it fits through our large door, we’ll paint it.” It’s common to see school buses, fire trucks and other large vehicles alongside cars, SUVs and pick-ups inside the shop.
Operating a small business means long hours and decision-making. Karl commented, “You don’t get rich, but you get to meet a lot of people.” Talk to Karl for a few minutes and you’ll realize that meeting people is something he truly enjoys.
K&S is open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Phone 518-643-2357 and wish K&S Body Works a HAPPY 60TH ANNIVERSARY!
Posted: September 30th, 2018 under Business News, Faces of Peru, Peru News, Peru resident news/accomplishments, Peru/Regional History.