Auto glass company marks 15 years

After 15 years in the auto glass business, owners Gene and Rose Rigdon look back at their humble beginnings and their dream of starting a business in Paris.“That seems like such a long time ago,” said Rose Rigdon as she looked through the scrapbook containing various memorabilia of their business. “We always wanted to come back to Paris and be a part of the community.” Rose Rigdon showed a 1988 article which appeared in The Beacon-News when the business first opened and said, “How young we looked back then.” “No gray hair,” she said laughing.Gene Rigdon who has been in the auto glass business for almost 30 years, started his career in Decatur before taking a leap of faith by opening his own business.Rose, a medical transcriptionist by training, decided to become the secretary for her husband’s budding business.The couple has since worked together and successfully built a family business.

“We have six employees and most of them are family,” said Rose Rigdon. “It is our dream one day to pass this business to our children so they can continue the tradition and maintain the good work that we have done.”

Located at 323 N. Main, the Rigdons did not start their business at the current location in the early years.

“Our first shop was located at West Jasper Street,” said Gene Rigdon. “We found the current location and began building the shop and were able to move in here two years later in 1990.”

Serving a 40-mile radius around the Paris area as well as offering “mobile-service” to customers in need, Edgar County Auto Glass has built a name for itself as a reputable and a reliable business.

Services extend to Terre Haute, Ind., Marshall, Chrisman and onsite jobs where customers can request the service be done at the garage or a parking lot where the car is located.

“It is all about the customers,” said Gene Rigdon. “If you want your customers to be happy and come back for more, then you have to ensure that the service you’re providing is of the best quality.”

“I have always emphasized that and feel that if I want repeat business, then I must see my customers leave happy,” he added.

He noted that another key factor of running a good business is becoming involved in the community.

“When you actively participate in community events and give back to the community, it makes you feel like you are a part of a bigger picture,” he said. “It also helps people to know who you are and what you do.”

Edgar County Auto Glass’s customers are primarily vehicle owners, insurance company references and farm machinery and equipment owners.

“We have kept up-to-date with the changing trends in the auto glass industry by attending a yearly seminar,” said Rose Rigdon. “It is important to know the developments because we want to be able to tell our customers that we can and know how to do the work efficiently.”

While no specific celebration has been planned for the business’ 15th year anniversary, the Rigdons custom-made a special 15th year sticker to be used on all their business correspondence.

“We just want all our customers and suppliers to know that we have been around for 15 years and will be around for a long while more,” said Rose Rigdon.