Dexter’s Service & Collision is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. Owner Al Dexter recently talked to the Era about all the changes the business has gone through over the years and his vision for the future.

In his earlier years, the Duke Center native started off doing service work for a local business. After gaining some experience under his belt, on Sept 1, 1984, he rented a spot in the back of what was Chamberlain Sales at the time to do bodywork. Several years later, on Feb. 1, 1986 he decided it was time to expand his business, working out a deal with the owner to take over the service part.

Though the expansion would turn out to be fruitful, Dexter explained there were some challenges at first, much of which was replacing the out-of-date equipment.

“We continued to do body work on a small scale at that point,” he explained. “We started doing the service work and began building the garage by updating the equipment.”

The business also sold gasoline at the time, up until the early 2000s.

“We then just devoted the business to doing collision and service work,” Dexter said.

Dexter’s has undergone many upgrades over the years. In 1998, the first addition was built to expand the facility, along with an update to make everything computerized. He was then able to buy several houses on Bennett Street that were torn down to make more space for the establishment.

Around 2010, Dexter’s began putting more emphasis on collision work. Then in 2014, Dexter began another building project, where a 110’ x 40’ back addition was added.

Most recently, the business rearranged the interior to install another paint booth in order to be more efficient.

Dexter explained that the business is ever evolving, as cars are continuously changing with how they are made and how they need to be repaired.

“I do try to stay on top of technology and buy the equipment and scanners necessary to make the repairs,” he said. “We can do pretty much every repair — we do almost everything in house.”

As for his time in Bradford, Dexter said he enjoys Bradford and the small town atmosphere. He plans to continue to keep up with the technology and staff training to ensure the business will maintain its value and prosper long after he retires.

“Overall, I’m happy with what I have here and how we take care of customers,” he said. “I have a good crew behind me as well.”