Fire can’t stop Rieck brothers from working on cars

Blaze at Heinz & Sons 57 Auto Body damaged 160-year-old building but not the owners’ work ethic

HEINZ & SONS 57 Auto Body owners Richard (left) and Robert Rieck stood beside a 1971 Plymouth Road Runner, which was being restored in the downtown Grafton shop when a Nov. 20 fire severely damaged the 160-year-old building. The brothers plan to sell the business and building when restoration work is completed by fall. Photo by Sam Arendt
By 
JOE POIRIER
Ozaukee Press Staff

Brothers Richard and Robert Rieck planned to sell their business this spring, but a fire that gutted their downtown Grafton auto body shop in November has put those plans on hold.

“It was tough. We had a rough holiday season during Thanksgiving and Christmas. We felt a little hopeless,” Richard said. 

Heinz & Sons 57 Auto Body suffered extensive fire and smoke damage on Nov. 20 when an electrical fire started between two exhaust systems on the second floor and spread to the roof of the 160-year-old building at 1327 Wisconsin Ave. 

The twin brothers said the fire wasn’t going to stop them from running the business their late father Heinz started 57 years ago. After the fire, they said they took about two weeks to organize their business plan and clean the shop before they went back to fixing up vehicles.

“We wanted to finish the cars that were here during the fire. We actually finished one of them a couple weeks ago because it had some other damage on it,” Richard said, noting there were three vehicles inside the shop that were dented and scratched from falling debris during the fire.

The Riecks are leasing space at an auto body shop in the Town of Cedarburg where Richard does repairs while Robert remains in Grafton to do assessments and schedule appointments.

“It’s been a work in progress, but so far business has been steady and our customers said they are willing to wait to see us,” Robert said. “The community has been very supportive and understanding.”

Paul Davis Restoration & Remodeling of Pewaukee will begin restoring the building in mid-July and work should be completed in four to five months. 

The Riecks said they are not sure what the total cost of damage was, but they said it will be fully covered by insurance.

The challenges in restoring a building from the 1860s include finding lumber to replace the rafters and installing a main beam on the second floor. Paul Davis will also soda blast the stone walls and replace the roof.

“This building has a lot of history and it would have been a shame to have lost it,” Richard said. “We should have a party when the building is done. It would be nice to have an open house and show everyone the work we put into this place.” 

The brothers have owned the business for 33 years, but began working at their father’s shop when they were 13.

“Back then, when our dad opened up the shop, Highway 57 ran through here. There was no freeway then, and that’s why 57 is in the company’s name,” Richard said. “We were always watching and learning from our dad, which made it a pretty smooth transition when we took over.”

As the years progressed and vehicles evolved, the brothers adapted with the times.

“We can work on any type of car. As the materials and paints changed, we would change with it,” Robert said.

They said their shop is like a time capsule set in the developing downtown district of Grafton.

“This place has been here forever and it’s a staple for the downtown area. Parking can be an issue for customers sometimes, but we’re impressed with all the new development here,” Richard said.

Most of their customers are from Grafton, Port Washington and Cedarburg. One longtime customer drives from Minnesota for repairs on his truck. 

“We’re now fixing cars for kids of old customers,” Richard said. “We know everybody, and that’s one great thing about owning this shop for all these years.”

After repairs are made at the shop, the brothers said they hope to sell the building and business and pursue new ventures. 

Richard said he wants to work in insurance claims adjustments because of all the accidents he has dealt with over the years. Robert is considering an early retirement and wants to travel with his wife.

Richard said he won’t retire until he finishes restoring a 1971 Plymouth Road Runner that was in the shop when the fire occurred. He said he expects the project to take him a few months.

“When that’s done, I’m done,” Richard said.

The brothers said they are thankful for all the customers who have supported them throughout their careers, during good and bad times.

“I don’t know what we would’ve done without them after the fire,” Robert said. “The outpouring of support they showed us was a truly humbling experience.”

 

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Ozaukee Press

Wisconsin’s largest paid circulation community weekly newspaper. Serving Port Washington, Saukville, Grafton, Fredonia, Belgium, as well as Ozaukee County government. Locally owned and printed in Port Washington, Wisconsin.

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