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Meet Ty Abel - A Minnetonka Legend
Our Minnetonka Location Carries Forward the Ty Abel Ethic
If a building could guarantee success, Leighton's Minnetonka Garage is sitting pretty. We expanded in 2003 to our second location -- the Art Moderne-style building known widely to locals as Ty Abel Corner. For more than 50 years, this building was home to Ty Abel's service station, a community fixture along with its owner.
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A Memorable Corner
Our "corner" is a microcosm of Minnetonka history. The old crossroads dates back to 1854, and is the original homestead site of the first pioneer family to live in the Lake Minnetonka area. The intersection became Ty Abel Corner in common parlance more than 50 years ago. The city of Minnetonka formally recognized Ty Abel Corner as a Minnesota landmark in 1996. |
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The Would-Be Doctor Takes a Different Path
Chaska High School's first male valedictorian, Ty Abel dreamed of being a doctor. But the Depression dashed those hopes. He needed work to help support his family. Ty landed a job at a small service station, helping the widow of the former owner manage the business. After several years, he was able to open his own station.
Ty's wife Elsa helped him run the business, managing the books and taking over completely for three years during World War II, when Ty was in the Navy.
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A True "Service" Station
Over the years, the business grew. Ty offered gifts to keep customers loyal -- dishes, silverware, kites, even rose bushes. He kept the station open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week, including holidays. Elsa brought his meals to the station. When needed on a service call, he'd place a sign in the window saying he'd be back in an hour.
The station opened the first car wash in Minnetonka -- $1.50 for an interior and exterior cleaning -- and even operated as a Nash dealership in the 1950s. Ty owned and operated the business for more than 50 years, making a name for himself both as an honest businessman and a community leader.
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He's Our Hero
Why are we so proud to be the new residents of Ty Abel Corner? Because the way Ty Abel ran his business is the way we strive to run ours. When asked why his business succeeded for so many years while others came and went, he put it simply: "We like what we're doing and the people like what we are doing. We treat people right, give them a fair deal, do good work, and make them feel at home and welcome."
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