St Matthews Anglican Church


Weaverville 828-877-3708


Reems Creek Rd.


812 www.stmatthewsasheville.org SUNDAY — 10am Bible Study / 11am Eucharist


Weaverville Weaverville’s tire whisperer


By Leslie Cunningham He runs in and out of Fender


Tire and Wheel. Shop owner and Weaverville’s tire whisperer, Danny


DR. GREGORY A. GODLEY FAMILY DENTISTRY DMD


Now Accepting New Patients! Hours


8 am - 5 pm Mon., Tues., Thurs., & Fri.


Closed Wed. (Lunch 12 - 1) 165 North Main St. Weaverville, NC 28787 Brank Insurance 828.645.5009


Fender, is an extraordinary man. I was rolling out of my driveway


and noticed my tire was not go- ing to make it to my destination. Dreading the next step, I rolled into Fender Tire. Fully intimidat- ed, I asked, “My tire is flat. Can you help?” “Sure pull it on up, and let’s have


a look,” he said without hesitation. I was not the only one he was


helping this day. Another custom- er had been coming here for 20- plus years. “Danny is the best and always takes care of me. You can’t go wrong when you come see him,” he said, trying to put my mind at ease. He was right. Fender is our very


We insure mobile homes! Home, Auto, Life, Business. Blue Cross/Blue Shield An authorized agency for


Phone 645-6300 • Fax 645-0065 9 Georgia Avenue “Just off Main Street”


Weaverville, North Carolina www.brankinsurance.com


6 THE TRIBUNE/LEADER - November 18 - November 24, 2010


own tire whisperer. He flows in and out of his shop without hesita- tion. Te big guys moved in next door, and the community ques- tioned whether he would survive the change. He continues to sit in his shop with an ease that no big name will just drive out of town. Fender is one who knows tires,


knows exactly what your car needs and is not just focused on making a buck. He wants you to be safe, just as if you were his own. Phones ringing, vendors in and out, bills needing to be signed are all handled as though these are his instruments in the orchestra he conducts. “Do you ever rest?” I asked, my


curiosity getting the best of me. “Yes, yes, I do,” he responded. “I come early in the morning with my coffee; I am quieted and pray in the stillness. Customers come as early as 6 or 7 am. Tat is when the day


starts. You have to keep going; you have to keep strong.” Being in his shop redefined the


importance of shopping locally for me. Tere is an insurmountable joy in knowing that when you take care of your local community your community takes care of you. Fender’s smile is peaceful be-


cause he knows a tire flow. With tires, people, peace and simplicity


he continues to be successful. As a business owner, it was a great les- son for me: worry less, serve more, sometimes charge and always smile.


Editor’s note: Leslie Cunning-


ham is a photographer and a new resident to the Weaverville area. More about her can be found at theafterbelly.com.


Danny Fender has been fixing tires for more than two decades. www.weavervilletribune.com


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