LEWIS SALVAGE HAS NEW OWNER NOW LEWIS SALVAGE & WRECKING, LLC

Lewis Salvage, located on Highway E, Cadet has a new owner as of Saturday, Jan. 23rd, 2021. Tom Lewis has announced the business change as Chris Ahring has purchased the business and property.

Tom said he and Chris have done business with each other since 1993, when Ahring started his parts and scrap business. Ahring has been in business in Farmington, Park Hills and then St. Louis.

Tom Lewis said his dad, Leo, started the business in 1963. Tom said, “Dad was working at the tiff mines and thought there had to be something to do to be able to provide for his family.” Lewis went on, “Dad was working 60 to 70 hours a week and making $68 a week. He started the scrap business and continued to at the mines until the business took off.”

Tom remembered, “Dad worked on growing the business and trying to be fair with everybody. We used a little flat scale for ten years. Dad bought a truck scale in 1967 but didn’t get it in and working until 1973.”

The Lewis have been in the scrap business in the same location since it began. Tom laughed and said we never moved but have had about four different addresses over the years. They told us when they did the 911 system that this last one would be our ‘last one’.

Tom said he’s got a lot of good memories about the business and the people. He said his Dad worked until he just got tired. He passed away March 3rd, 1981. Tom remembers working for the yard for a $1 an hour in 1972, his first full time job.

Lewis Salvage got into the ‘computer age’ in 1991 when Tom bought a computerized truck scale and got it up and running.

Tom said, “I met Chris in 1993 and we’ve done business ever since. I’ve always liked him and his family, they’re good people. His Dad, Charlie, has been in business and they’ve worked together just like my dad and I did.”

Lewis said, “We closed the deal on a Saturday this year. I thought it was fitting because I still remember the Saturday we met for the first time and he started his business.”

Tom closed the story, saying, “My wife Linda and I have made good friends and enjoyed the business. It’s time for a new generation to take over. Chris and his wife, Katie, are really good people and have kept all the employees and continue to do business as we did. They even kept the name, changing it to Lewis Salvage & Wrecking, LLC.”

Tom said he thanks everyone for the support over the years and is looking forward to enjoying some retirement with Linda. He finished by saying, “I’ll still be working 10 hours a week or so. However it adds up!”

Lewis Salvage & Wrecking, LLC is located on Highway E, just North of the Hwys. E & 47 intersection.