Inglewood Garage a 22-year-old family business
By Colleen Longhurst

George Manis has taken his Inglewood Garage to the next step in its long history.

There's a familiar face at a local family business.

For 22 years, George Manis has owned and operated the Inglewood Garage at Olde Baseline Road and Highway 10.

Many of those years were spent pumping gas and doing repairs and maintenance for most vehicles.

Frustrated with the gas companies who were unwilling to offer competitive pricing to independent pump owners, Manis decided in the past year, to stop pumping gas and focus more on his first love - repairs and maintenance of cars and trucks.

With the help of his wife Debbie and children, Billy and Brittany, George has been making changes to his service station to allow the vehicle repair and maintenance business to expand.

First, the new Inglewood Garage sign appeared. "Everyone knows me by the name Inglewood Garage," Manis will tell you. The gas pumps disappeared and the old gas company sign came down recently.

Manis has worked in the auto repair business since 1976, becoming a licensed mechanic. His son is currently his apprentice.

Wife Debbie will tell you that automobiles are in Manis's blood. Manis's mother would always say, "Since he was a little boy, George was always with a ratchet and hammer. I knew he was going to be a mechanic."

Manis's daughter Brittany, used to help with pumping gas and now helps with some of the administrative duties in the office.

Community spirited, Manis is an active member of the Caledon West Rotary Club. A major organizer of the annual Rotary Golf tournament held at the Caledon Country Club, Manis also supports the many Rotary activities.

Manis will tell you he puts in a 5-1/2-day week, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon by appointment only. That's what he'll claim, but many regulars know he is willing to come in a little early and stay a little late to help out his customers when dropping off and picking up vehicles.

At the Inglewood Garage, Manis is even willing to do free pick up and delivery of most vehicles within a local radius of 15 kilometres. The Inglewood Garage may be out of gas, but it's definitely not out of business.