Ludwig Family Rescues the Community

In the outdoor power equipment industry, it’s not uncommon for a business to serve a mix of individual consumers and commercial customers. Anthony and Cheryl Ludwig, owners of Ludwig Repair Shop in Hallettsville, Texas, know these customers will often come from far away to find what they’re looking for. Meanwhile, they also serve a unique customer that’s closer to their home and to their hearts: the Hallettsville Fire Department.

The fire department, which responds to an area of over 702 square miles, buys all of its STIHL outdoor power equipment and similar supplies from Ludwig Repair Shop. But the connection doesn’t end there. Anthony began volunteering with the fire department more than 30 years ago, and he has now served as a fire chief for 23 years. Cheryl and the couple’s son also volunteer.

Support for the community and its businesses abounds in Hallettsville, according to Anthony. The small town only boasts about 2,600 residents, but people come from several surrounding counties, some up to an hour’s drive away, to shop small at Ludwig Repair Shop. As a result, Anthony doesn’t see national chains or online retailers as a threat to his businesses and his community. “Wal-mart employees come to Ludwig to buy what we carry,” he says.

Still, even in a supportive community like Hallettsville, certain challenges remain. “Even when the percentage of your sales goes up, it doesn’t mean you’re making more money because of the rise in the cost of insurance, health care, taxes and utilities,” Anthony says. Fortunately, Ludwig Repair Shop has a loyal group of customers, and Hallettsville has the loyal support of the Ludwig family.

Whether they’re putting out fires or manning the service counter, the Ludwig family offers vital support to its small community. For more information about Ludwig Repair Shop, visit www.ludwigrepair.com.

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