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Full service, great service - in Edgerton

I've been in the market for tires for a few weeks and I've scoured every ad, every website and asked a ton of people for advice. I thought I came across the deal of the season a few weeks ago...buy 3 and get 1 free! After watching the screen tally the shop charges and other fees the deal wasn't as sweet. It was then I turned to a local...in Edgerton. I gave Casey Burns at Burns Full Service a ring (actually a Facebook message).

As it turns out I have a connection to Edgerton. I know Casey's brother and worked with his Dad. While the connection was important, his prompt reply and extremely competitive price was what swayed me to take the 10 minute drive to the booming metropolis of Edgerton this morning. I walked in and was immediately taken back in time. It's a full service station complete with a table for the coffee clutch crowd. I felt at home.

I grabbed my paper, plopped in the chair and waited. For those of you who know me, I also asked questions. The pictures on the wall of race cars and family fascinated me. The air tools fired up and I heard the progress of new tires. A few minutes later the door swung open and I received some really bad news. Yep, the customer isn't always right (me - FAIL). I gave him the wrong tire spec. Crud! If I was anywhere else I probably would have been turned away until another day. At Burns, Casey jumped on the phone and found a better spec tire - and right size this time. The bonus (not for Casey) is that I received a road trip to the warehouse. We picked them up, headed back and within an hour I was on my way. Bonus trivia - in the 'day' Edgerton had 24 service stations. Yes, 24!

During my short wait it was interesting to see the folks wander in on a Saturday morning. Casey called everyone by name, oil was being checked at the pumps and I just soaked it in. Occasionally, my Dad mentions Ryan's Service Station. He worked there when he was younger but I never saw the station. I can only imagine it was fairly similar to Burns Full Service.

I know Davis Citgo on Racine still offers Full Service at the pump but there's just something about the building - and the owner in Edgerton that made my trip to Burns Full Service an absolute pleasure.

Take me back in time. What are some of your memories of service stations in Janesville before the garage doors were shuttered in favor of the convenience store?

Steve Knox was born, raised and landed back in Janesville. He encourages you to participate as he writes on Janesville and beyond as this Generation X guy supports his Janesville mission, global vision. Steve is a community blogger and is not a part of The Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the The Gazette staff or management.