Page 25 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2020- Lubbock Online Magazine

HONORING
SMALL BUSINESSES

The Sum of Paul’s Parts

Greater Than the Whole

Paul’s Parts’ first building,
West 19th Street, in 1983.
By George Ellis

ot so long ago, you could a quart and installed a drive-up window success, due in part to the vast display of
only shop for an appliance, for auto parts. Back then, automotive goods, bicycle freestyle shows, and the
Nautomotive parts or outdoor stores also sold major appliances, like annual appearance of Santa Claus.
power equipment in refrigerators,
a local retail shop. washing Phillip Kirk, Paul’s gifted long-time
Before big box stores machines, house mechanic, purchased the store in
and internet sales, coolers and 1997. Phillip did very well until the
wise consumers television sets. In construction of Marsha Sharp freeway,
dealt with people 1971, A.R. bought which overtook much of the access. So,
they knew and out Paul Ellis Auto Phillip relocated to an old nursery on
trusted – someone Supply, and Paul South Frankford Ave. in 2011. Growth
they knew was went to work for was slow until city development finally
providing quality Paul Ellis Auto Supply, an Exide battery reached the new location. In 2017, Phillip
merchandise along 48th and Ave Q, in 1961. service center. He sold Paul’s Parts back to the Ellis family,
with knowledge and established many yours truly.
expertise. For nearly close relationships
40 years, Lubbock shoppers knew they with oil field companies. Out of those We modified product lines and added
could trust Paul Ellis, the Lubbock born- relationships, Paul’s Parts was born. In new ones like Gravely, Honda and Little
and-bred entrepreneur behind Paul’s 1981, Paul bought a yellow Ryder truck, Wonder, while expanding our selection.
Parts. and outfitted it with a unique logo – a The company image and service
caricature of himself holding jumper improved, reflecting new life for the
The roots of the cables and a brand. Customers from the old location
business can be humorous caption: soon discovered Paul’s Parts all over
traced back as “You Want to Start again.
early as 1942 when Something?”
Paul Ellis, at the The success of Paul’s Parts for nearly
age of eight, went His business four decades is really owed to its loyal
to work for his evolved into a customers and its commitment to service
father, A.R. Ellis, lawn mower and and satisfaction. But, it is also because
at Ellis Tire and bicycle repair of the early vision that my father and
Automotive on 17th shop behind some his father had in establishing long-
and Ave. H. Paul buildings on 19th term relationships in providing what
learned early on Paul Ellis playing Santa in front and Quaker, across consumers needed and backing that with
of Paul’s Parts, across from Fox
the importance of Theater on 19th street, in 1986. from the old Fox unmatched support.
working hard and Theater, and grew
carrying quality into Lubbock’s Paul’s Parts new location on
merchandise. predominant local supplier of name South Frankford Ave in 2019.
brand mowers, bicycles, accessories and
A.R. Ellis eventually acquired six parts. The store became the #1 Toro
Southern Auto Stores. Paul helped at lawnmower dealer in Texas and #3 in the
the store on Texas Avenue on weekends, United Sates.
while he attended Abilene Christian
College. In 1960, Paul opened Paul Ellis In 1984, a new, two-story, yellow-
Auto Supply on 48th and Ave. Q, where trimmed building was built on the site
he sold Texaco/Havoline oil for 39 cents of the old Mr. Burger. Paul enjoyed great

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