Aug 05, 2023 1:20 AM

Mechanic branches out with business

Posted Aug 05, 2023 1:20 AM
<b>Colton Bowman, owner of CT Automotive, is shown at his business at 1009 Angular St. in Burlington. The business is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., and closed on Sunday. Photo/John Lovretta</b>
Colton Bowman, owner of CT Automotive, is shown at his business at 1009 Angular St. in Burlington. The business is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., and closed on Sunday. Photo/John Lovretta

Beacon Staff

Colton Bowman knows cars.

That’s why he opened an automotive shop on Angular Street, right next to RonDavoo. CT Automotive has been in business for about a year, and Bowman is in charge of running the shop.

He started the business with a partner, but that relationship has since dissolved.

“I’ve been a mechanic my whole life, but running a business is a whole different ball game,” he said.

Bowman hasn’t done a lot of advertising, but word of mouth spreads quickly. He promises good work with quality parts. Nothing less will do, he said.

“You get what you pay for,” Bowman said. “I don’t like to rig stuff up. If I can’t fix it right, I won’t do it at all.”

Bowman is best known for racing at 34 Raceway and other local tracks, which he’s been doing for the past decade. His father is a racecar driver as well and taught Bowman everything he knows about racing and auto-mechanic work.

Bowman’s dad used to work in the same building at CT Automotive back in the 1990s. It took Bowman about three months to renovate the inside of the building, and the owners have started rehabilitating the outside of the building.

“This place was a wreck when he got it,” he said.

Bowman said he would like to buy the building in five to 10 years and expand his business.

“I would like to get to the point where I sell used cars,” he said.

Until then, Bowman will focus strictly on fixing cars. CT Automotive, located at 1009 Angular St., is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. The business is closed on Sunday.