Denver Shop Marks 40th Year

Ordinarily, Tapp’s Garage in Denver is not open Saturdays. But June 7 was no ordinary Saturday.

The occasion? A chance to celebrate its 40th year in business.

Tapp’s Garage marked the day with an open house. It served hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, chips and sodas out of an old Model T replica, had the GearHead and Drive radio shows broadcasting live, and gave away gift certificates. Many of the shop’s suppliers provided door prizes. Guests got to meet the staff, tour the shop, and share in the joy and celebration. And old-timers shared stories about how the shop originated and how it has grown.

It all began in 1968 when the present owners’ father, Bob Tapp, opened Tapp’s Garage (then called Auto Service Centre) at 563 Detroit in Denver. The shop moved to its present location, 8000 E. Mississippi in southeast Denver, in 1984.

Larry Tapp, foreground, holds plaque commemorating Tapp Garage’s 40th anniversary. The plaque was presented by the shop’s staff. In background are, from left: Donny Seyfer, who was originating his radio show that day from Tapp’s Garage; Chris Lechman; and Jim Tapp. Seyfer is co-owner of Seyfer Automotive in Wheatridge, a Denver suburb, and hosts the local automotive radio show.

Jim Tapp, one of Bob Tapp’s sons, recalls growing up around cars and working in the “car business” as a youngster. He worked for his father “off and on” until 1974 when he and his brother, Larry, took over the business. Later, in 1976, they purchased it.

From 4,000 square feet and $100,000 a year in revenue when it first started, Tapp’s Garage has grown in size to 13,000 square feet and in revenue to $2 million in annual sales.

It opened with one employee. Today it has 12. With 18 service bays, Tapp’s is a leading auto and truck repair facility in the Denver area, able to service all makes and models. It’s a AAA-approved repair facility and a Colorado Select NAPA Autocare Center.

Jim is president; Larry is vice president/shop foreman. Jim’s wife, Elaine, also works in the business, helping out in the office and answering phones.

Other key personnel are Matt Nelson, service manager; Chris Lechman, customer service/marketing manager; and Julie Mohavich, who is in charge of bookkeeping.

Jim, Matt and Chris have all earned their Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation from the Automotive Management Institute (AMI).

All of the technicians are ASE certified and three of them are ASE-certified master technicians.

In 1908 Chalmers-Detroit are, from left, Jim Tapp; his daughter, Cindy; Jim and Elaine’s grandson, Grady; Jim’s wife, Elaine; an unidentified Tapp’s Garage customer; and another grandson, Sawyer.

Hot dogs, burgers, chips and sodas were served out of this Model T replica.