South Omaha store's closing about more than auto parts

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Targy Auto Parts was more than just an auto parts store.

If you ask customers and others in the auto parts industry, the Targys were like family to everyone who frequented the store just south of 25th and L Streets.

"When I walked in the door, even when they were busy helping someone else, they would say, 'Hi, Don' from across the room," said Don Chase, a former Omaha business owner, mechanic and longtime customer of Targy's. "They were very friendly and would bend over backwards for you."

But in the last 17 months, the family lost two members involved in running the business. The deaths, along with dealing with increased competition from national auto parts store chains over the last decade, led the family to shut its doors for good last summer after more than 70 years in the auto business.

"It was time to go," said Steve Targy, who worked for his family business for nearly 40 years starting when he was teenager. "It's bittersweet."

Just before Christmas, Steve's father, Jim Targy Sr., died after suffering a stroke. He was 80. He took over the business in the 1960s from his father, Paul Targy, who started the business in the late 1930s as an auto salvage yard. During the Great Depression, Paul Targy installed windshield wiper motors and glass in vehicles to stay busy. He turned the business into a complete auto parts store in the early 1950s.

Jim Targy Jr., who had worked at the family business for his father and grandfather since he was a teenager, died in July 2010 at age 54 after a five-year battle with liver cancer. He worked at Targy's until about a week before he died.

Even with a business degree from Creighton University, he chose to continue working for the family business because "he had a passion for old, antique cars and was hooked on the car business," younger brother Steve Targy said.

Without Jim Targy Jr. around, running the business was tough. He was the backbone to the business and "ran the ship," Steve Targy said. He was the store's general manager, knew the ins and outs of the computer system and was on top of ordering the inventory.

Targy Auto Parts stayed open, hoping to work through it. But there were outside influences that affected business as well.

In 1997, Jim Targy Sr., told The World-Herald that his business was "getting hit pretty hard" after several national auto parts chains entered the Omaha market.

John Targy, who worked for his father and grandfather's business for 35 years, said he remembered seeing chain stores really "pick up seed" in late 2001.

"That was a big down period for us and I think it was the turning point," he said.

He said his family-oriented business had a hard time competing with the national chains that stayed open until 10 p.m. Targy Auto Parts was typically open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Also, as technology changed, so did the auto industry, another obstacle for the family business.

"This business was built on do it-yourself mechanics, small shops and one-man service stations," said Mary Lou "Mem" Targy, who started working at the business in the 1960s for brother Jim Targy Sr. "You need thousands of dollars in equipment to diagnose your own car. The average person can't afford that."

But before the challenges came along, business was lucrative for decades.

Jim Targy Sr. was able to make a good living for his wife, Jean, and his seven children, putting them all through Catholic grade school and high school.

The business made it through the Great Depression and a building fire in 1966. The family had to add on to the building four times to add space for growth.

Steve Targy remembers long lines that reached near the front of the store and a full house on Saturday mornings. He said military members and packinghouse workers were regular customers during the business's prime, and the store always had a family-friendly atmosphere.

Customers grew used to seeing a black Labrador at the store — over the years, five dogs had that job. In the early days, there wasn't a child to walk out of the store without getting a Targy Auto Parts balloon from Paul Targy.

"He loved kids, and they couldn't wait to get in there to see him," Steve Targy said. "It was neat."

Jim Targy Sr.'s quick-witted humor and helpful personality made it a fun place to go.

"Even if someone would come in irate, my dad would know how to diffuse them," Steve Targy said. "He was nice to everyone."

If a customer bought new windshield wipers, Targy employees would offer to put them on for free.

"They are the reason I had confidence when I opened up my own (mechanic shop) business because I knew I could get parts from them," Don Chase said. "They went out of their way to help everyone. If it was something he (Jim Targy Sr.) didn't carry, he would research it until he found it for me."

Targy's also was known for honesty and respecting customers and vendors, said Mike Foster, a local sales representative for a manufacturer of auto parts who worked with the Targys for about 30 years. "They really treated people like they wanted to be treated. It's very unfortunate to see them go. They were influential and valued in the community."

Added Chase: South Omaha won't be the same without them.

Contact the writer:

402-444-1336, leia.mendoza@owh.com

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