You can't be in business for decades in one city without earning a reputation for quality work and exceptional customer service. That's what Constable Automotive has built its reputation on and that's why locals have been counting on them to maintain and repair their vehicles since the 1940s!
Formerly Constable Service, the newly named Constable Automotive is now owned and operated by a member of the 3rd generation of the Constable family, Scott, who took over ownership and management in November of 2015.
And he says business is good these days.
"Yes, we're usually booked up a week or 10 days out, so we've got lots going on all the time. Good work and a good reputation are what we pride ourselves on."
And it's a reputation that started in 1947 with Scott's grandfather, Frank.
"My grandpa came from England in the early 1940s and got the business started and worked his whole life here. Then my dad and his two brothers took over from my grandpa and they ran it for another 30 years and then I took over 6 years ago."
And while Wayne, Bob and Dale Constable have passed the business on to generation #3, Scott is pleased to say both Bob and Dale continue to work in the garage. 
"Ya, they're not allowed to leave!", Scott laughed. "Yes, two of the three, my dad (Dale) and my one uncle are still here and I'm really fortunate to have them here."
Scott has four mechanics on staff, including himself, and he says being a hands-on owner/operator suits him well.
"Yes, I've got to do a little bit of everything."
Constable Automotive has been located at 102 Manitoba Street East in downtown Moose Jaw since the beginning. The original building was a one-bay shop, but Wayne, Bob and Dale expanded to three bays when they renovated in 1977.
If you drop in to do business at Constable Automotive, you'll likely notice a beautiful, wooden, antique desk in the office. It's a piece of family history Scott says will always be there.
"It actually doesn't really work for what I need it to do but, it's a staple of the family and so, it's staying," Scott said with a smile.
However, in the garage, you'll find up-to-date and state-of-the-art tools and equipment. Scott says they can handle just about every vehicular challenge you might be faced with.
"We do everything and that's how I like it to be. There was a time we had to send people away to other places to get certain things done but since I've taken over, we've spread it out so we can do absolutely everything, and you don't have to go anywhere else. We do alignments, tires, major repairs, anything - we can handle it," Scott explained.
Constable Automotive has a new name and, just recently, a new look.
Scott says the evolution of the automotive industry has been remarkable over the course of the past several years and keeping up to the changes has been and will continue to be a challenge - a challenge he enjoys.
"Back in the old days, everything was pretty basic but even since I was a kid, I remember we used to be able to stock oil filters and air filters for pretty much any vehicle on the road. Now, it's almost impossible to keep inventory for things like filters and even tires. There are so many different makes and models now and you can't keep up with all that stuff. We also have to keep up with service information which is always changing. It's a lot to wrap your head around some days. One day you're working on a Volkswagen and an hour later you're working on a Ford and then you're working on a Dodge. We work on any make and any model, so it keeps us on our toes," Scott explained.
And next up? Hybrid vehicles. Scott says he's preparing for those vehicles to start making more appearances in the shop for maintenance and repairs.
"They're a thing coming. We will work on them, but the majority of that stuff is still under warranty, so we don't see much. Usually, you're five or six years for your warranty to run out and then we'll start seeing them after that. It'll be soon. We've taken a few courses - we're always taking courses to keep up with things and when they start coming in, we'll be ready for them."
That said, Scott reminds us there are more than motors to work on when it comes to proper maintenance and repair work.
"There's still tires, there's still brakes, there are still items that wear out and you have to change."
And Scott says he and his crew are looking forward to the task of working on the hybrids.
"Yes, we are. I had a guy explain it to me. He said back in the 1980s when we went from carburetors to fuel injection, everybody thought they weren't going to be able to work on the new equipment. But we were just fine. It'll be the same with hybrids. It's just going to be a learning curve and we'll get used to it," Scott said with confidence.
We asked Scott what sets Constable Automotive apart from the others in a locally competitive automotive industry.
"I don't really know to be honest with you. I just worry about what we're doing. If you do a good job, you look after your customers and you do it for a fair price, I mean, if you do quality work, you're going to keep your customers happy and they're going to keep coming back."
And when he's not toiling at the shop, Scott and his young family can be found having fun around our city.
"Yes, kids and sports. I help coach whatever they play. They were into baseball this year and hockey and they've tried soccer. Any sport there is they either try it out or are involved in it. We have three small kids, and they keep us busy every night and every weekend, that's for sure!"
Scott's wife is Kayla, and their kids are 9-year-old Emmett, 7-year-old Ellie and 5-year-old Penelope.
Constable Automotive in downtown Moose Jaw - a business built on quality work and a solid reputation and in business since 1947 at 102 Manitoba Street East. They're open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM until 5:30 PM. You can reach them at 306-692-5717 and check out their website.
And one final note from Scott. "If you have any questions or any car trouble, don't hesitate to phone us. We'll try to help you out any way we can."
Fri, Apr 26, 8:00 AM
Agriculture, Entry-Level, Full-time
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