Lee Erwin reporting
lerwin@clarksvillenow.com

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – A long-time Clarksville businessman and leader in the community has set his sights on retirement. Wayne Abrams is retiring from his business, Wayne’s Body Shop on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard. Even though he has sold his business, he still plans on playing an active role in Clarksville. On New Year’s Day Wayne’s Body Shop became the new location for Price’s Collision Center in Clarksville.

Abrams said he started out in the body shop business 46 years ago in a barn with a dirt floor on Dover Road. Later, Abrams moved to a two door garage in New Providence and then spent 24 years in his shop on Kraft Street before making the move to the present site of the business on Warfield Boulevard.

Over the years Wayne’s Body Shop grew to its current facility housing 60,000 square feet. The site also has quite a bit of rental property utilized by Abrams which is where he will still maintain an office. “Everybody’s asking me what I’m going to do now that I’m retired. I know one thing, I’m going to get up in the morning and come down here to my new office. I want to stay active,” Abrams said.

Along with his extensive community involvement, one thing Abrams is not giving up is his long time professional expertise preparing and cooking barbecue which he says he’ll have more time to devote to now. He has won many trophies and cash awards as well as other honors for his ability in a number of cooking categories all across the country.

“I want everybody to know that I am truly thankful for all the customers I’ve had over the years and for all my dear friends. I’m thankful that God has given me good health and I’m just thrilled to be in Clarksville, Tennessee. It’s a wonderful city, I’m amazed at its progress and growth and I’m excited about the future of Clarksville. I just want to be right here and watch it grow,” Abrams said.

Bobby Price, President and CEO of Price’s Collision Center, visited the company’s newly acquired facility during the day on New Year’s Eve and spent time meeting with Abrams and some of the employees at the body shop. Price’s Collision Center currently has six service locations in and around the Nashville area, in Bowling Green, KY., and now in Clarksville at 419 Warfield Boulevard.

“When Wayne and I began talking about this acquisition, it was clear to me that this would be a great facility with Wayne being such a big part of this community for so many years. It really was a great fit for what my business model is with Price’s Collision Center coming into an existing shop that’s been known for quality and for us to have that opportunity to carry on that tradition,” Price said.

Abrams family and friends are planning a retirement celebration for him on Tuesday, January 21 from 4-7 p.m. at the Riverview Inn, 50 College Street. Abrams and his family are inviting all of his friends and customers he has known and worked with over the years to attend.