Biz Spotlight: Tk Garage Changes Owners
Author: Nancy Marks, MT43 News Reporter
TK Garage Changes Owners
Nancy Marks
MT43 News Reporter
TK Garage on Broadway Street will have a new owner beginning August 1. Keith Hartmann has sold his automotive repair business to Townsend resident Cole Bergstad.
According to Keith, it is a perfect move for the business. He explained “Cole’s younger brother, Justin, worked for me, so that was our connection,”
Cole, age 25, has lived in Townsend with his family since 2014. He graduated from Broadwater High School and then went on to get an Automotive Service Excellence(ASC) certificate from Helena College of Technology. In an interview, Cole said his dad sparked his interest in fixing cars when he was in high school. He explained: “It was my first car and my dad walked me through changing oil and fixing what was broken on it.”
A shy person with a quick smile, Cole said he works well with customers too, which is important in running his new business. He said he makes connections with customers easily since he was raised here and knows almost everyone.
Keith will be moving to Seely Lake, in the Flathead area. His wife Christina has taken a job as Superintendent of Seely Lake Schools, he said. Keith bought the garage business from Gerald Schlagel in 2018 soon after he and Christina moved to Townsend.
His feelings about leaving Townsend are mixed. They have always loved the Flathead area. When the opportunity came up for Christina to be awarded the superintendent job, they jumped at it, he said. “It was not an easy decision. Both Christina and I have embedded ourselves in the Townsend community. We made many friends here and were involved in everything."
He has served in Rotary and co-chairman of the Townsend Area Chamber of Commerce. While working as Townsend Elementary School Principal Christina served on Townsend City Council and was president of Townsend Lions Club. “Townsend has been good to us and the feeling has been reciprocal. We’ll never forget that,” he said.
The repair shop's name will change to Big Belt Automotive and will have a new phone number, Facebook page and website soon, Cole said. Beginning August 1, Cole can be reached at bigbeltautomotivemt@gmail.com.
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PhotoCredit: Nancy Marks, MT 43 News Photographer
Image 1 Caption: Cole Bergstad and Keith Hartmann have sealed the deal on sale of TK Garage.
Nancy Marks, MT 43 News Photographer
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