Michael Feltis (left) and Willy Hornberger pose for a picture at the Damariscotta NAPA on Friday, March 17. Hornberger sold the business to Feltis in January, 17 years after Feltis first started working for Hornberger. (Alec Welsh photo)
After spending 17 years as an employee delivering and selling auto parts throughout the Pemaquid region, Michael Feltis has gone into business for himself, buying the former Clark Auto Parts Company in Damariscotta.
In his first act as owner, Feltis changed the name of the business to Damariscotta NAPA. The business has been a NAPA franchise for the last 30 years, but the previous name was a cause for confusion for customers calling into the store.
“The big reason for that is all of the years I have worked here, we would get people that ask, ‘is this NAPA?’ when calling,” Feltis said.
Feltis became the official owner of the company on Jan. 2, exactly 17 years after joining the company as a delivery truck driver. In 2008, Feltis received his first promotion to outside sales, where he would travel between Waldoboro and Wiscasset, and along the Pemaquid Peninsula to sell parts to auto shops. Eventually, around 2012-2013 Feltis became the de facto general manager of the store.
“There was no official announcement or anything like that,” he said. “I just kept taking up more responsibilities until people just started referring to me as the manager.”
Other than the name, Feltis said he expects little to change with the business. Feltis’ goal as owner is to grow his client list and emphasize great customer service.
“We want to keep growing and offer customer service with kindness so the customer wants to keep coming back,” Feltis said.
The business coordinates with the Wiscasset Auto Parts store, also a NAPA franchise, to divide auto shops that live near the town line along Edgecomb.
“We have a good relationship with them,” Feltis said.
Feltis purchased the auto parts store from Willy Hornberger who owned the business since 1992. This is Feltis’ first venture as a business owner, but he began in the auto industry working for Sea Coast Auto Care in Damariscotta, which was located in the current home of Oysterhead Pizza. When the shop closed down in 2005, Feltis reached out to Hornberger to see if there was a job opening.
Taking over for Hornberger who has spent the last 30 years of his life managing the business has given Feltis mixed emotions.
“I am both excited and nervous,” he said. “I cannot screw this up.”
According to Feltis, Hornberger had been talking about selling the company to Feltis since 2010. Feltis said he agreed to purchase the company because he felt it was part of the path his life had taken and he was encouraged by the people around him, including Hornberger.
“Willy said his primary goal is to make sure I succeed. He is not just taking money and leaving,” Feltis said. “All the support I have gotten has put me at ease.”
Working for Hornberger for nearly two decades, Feltis said he saw a compassionate leader who not only led by example, but extended his leadership qualities beyond business operations.
“Willy as an owner was caring and understanding,” Feltis said. “You could talk to him about anything even if it is not work related.”
Feltis said he plans to keep his office door open and hopes his employees feel they can reach out to him when they need to, similar to how he could reach out to Hornberger.
For the next year, Hornberger is expected to continue to work at the business to help Feltis transition into his new role. Feltis said he hopes Hornberger will stay on longer.
Hornberger expressed confidence that Feltis will do well as a business owner. “Michael is a quick learner, very good with people and expressed a desire to run the business” Hornberger said.
Hornberger said he sold the company in order to have more free time with his favorite hobby, golfing.
“I have a trip planned and paid for in August to play three courses in Canada,” Hornberger said.
Damariscotta NAPA is located at 403 Main St., in Damariscotta. The store is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, call 563-8128, or find the company online at napaonline.com.
Damariscotta NAPA, formally known as Clark Auto Parts, located at 403 Main St., Damariscotta, is under a new ownership. Long-time employee Michael Feltis bought the business in January and changed the name of the store to help reduce confusion among his customers. (Alec Welsh photo)
