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Paynesville Auto Parts and Service, which is located on Highway 23 on the east side of Paynesville, will specialize in servicing cars and trucks and selling new and used auto parts. As a member of a nationwide computer network, the business can locate used parts in many parts of the United States, said Chupp. This should help keep their customers' auto repair costs down, as they can find even hard-to-locate used parts.

Mark and Freida Chupp (left) and Regina and Joe Miller (right) hope to provide customers with good, affordable auto parts and service at Paynesville Auto Parts and Service, which they purchased last month.

Eventually, the men would like sell used cars, but for now they will continue to allow former owner Brian Nietfeld to show his cars on their lot.

Chupp and Miller agreed that their goal is to provide good service and inexpensive alternatives to local people.

Miller, who studied auto mechanics at a technical college, was a mechanic for a construction company before becoming part-owner of the business. Chupp, a farmer, has been working on cars for more than 20 years for fun, he said. It was nice for his hobby to turn into a profession, he said.

Miller and his wife Regina live near Manannah with their four children. Chupp and his wife Freida also live near Manannah with their seven children.While their husbands will do sales and service at the business, Freida and Regina plan to help in the office.

Paynesville Auto Parts and Service is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Mondays through Fridays and from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays. An open house, with coffee and homemade rolls, is planned for Saturday, Feb. 19.