Gallimore Body Shop sold

ASHEBORO — Ken Gallimore has sold his body shop on Salisbury Street to a prominent Winston-Salem family.

The Fowlers, who own several car dealerships including Modern Toyota in Asheboro, have purchased Gallimore Body Shop. The Gallimores continue to own their automotive garage across the street.

“It was the right time to sell,” Gallimore said. “Modern was going to build or buy a body shop.”

He said talks with the Fowler family convinced him that they would take good care of the employees. “They’ve got good people,” Gallimore said. “I like it that they’re family-owned.”

Gallimore said he “learned from the best — Dan and Wayne Thomas.”

Dan Thomas owned the Pontiac dealership on Fayetteville Street and Wayne Thomas took over the Chevrolet dealership and eventually moved it to Dixie Drive. For many years, Gallimore was service manager at both Dan Thomas Pontiac and Wayne Thomas Chevrolet.

He purchased the Dan Thomas body shop in 2012, then after several years sold it and opened Gallimore Body Shop in 2017. He had purchased the former Randolph Farm Equipment building from the City of Asheboro, which had considered using the building as a third fire station before deciding to go elsewhere.

Gallimore did updates on the old building and erected a couple of new structures. Meanwhile, he built the automotive shop across the street.

Asked if he would consider selling the automotive business, Gallimore said he wouldn’t since his son and daughter are now working there. “I’ll let them deal with it,” he said.

Gallimore said selling the body shop is good timing for another reason. His wife, Bridget, is undergoing treatments for a serious health issue. “We wanted to do other things in life,” he said.

Looking back, Gallimore said, “I’ve enjoyed the business immensely. I miss the people but I still see them around town.”