E E Thomas Garage

E E Thomas Garage is an auto repair shop in Springfield, IL. The family-owned business has been providing automobile repair and service in Springfield and the surrounding communities since 1934, working under the brand motto "Trust is a Must." It serves customers at every level of automotive knowledge, walking each one through the estimate, repair, and payment process. The shop holds a 4.7-star rating based on 226 Google reviews. Services offered include brakes, exhaust, diagnostics, tune-ups, preventative maintenance, and oil changes. The shop operates as a NAPA AutoCare Center and is open from 7:30 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday.

The business was opened in 1934 by Estel Elmer Thomas and his wife Alma at 5th and Madison. After a fire in 1965, the building was rebuilt at 1140 West Jefferson Street, where it has remained since. Richard Thomas owned the shop from 1965 to 1991, when John "Johnny" Thomas and his wife Therese took over as co-owners. John had been working in the shop since he was five years old. The current team includes longtime technician Don, who has worked alongside Johnny for over twelve years, and Chase, who joined as an apprentice. Owner John Thomas is active in the Springfield community, serving as President of the Twin Lake Homeowners Association and as Past President of the local bowling community in association with the US Bowling Congress, and is heard regularly on Lynch & Liz In the Mornings on WYMG.

The shop sits on West Jefferson Street, a short distance from West Madison Street, with North MacArthur Boulevard about a third of a mile away. Dubois Elementary School is roughly a third of a mile from the location, Sacred Heart-Griffin High School is about four-tenths of a mile away, and Duncan Park sits within four-tenths of a mile.

Three generations of the Thomas family have kept this Springfield garage running on the same corner since the 1930s.