06/18/2026
Some days at work go smoothly, and other days it feels like one thing after another.
Yesterday started with a tire issue on one of my mowers. After spending an hour trying to repair it myself (I like to think I'm pretty handy), I finally headed over to Pottstown Automotive Repair, a small garage in Pottstown owned by Chu that popped up on my maps.
Most garages are busy with their own projects and can't always squeeze in unexpected jobs, but after I explained the situation, Chu immediately told me to bring the tire in and he'd see what he could do.
A few minutes later, he found the problem: a bad tube and a hole in the tire itself. Since they don't do tire patching, that could have easily been the end of the road for me. Instead, he suggested I run over to Tractor Supply, grab a replacement tube or tire, and come back.
After about 20 minutes of fighting with the old tire, Chu got the new one mounted and had me back up and running. Ready and willing to pay for the repair, I asked what I owed him. His response?
"Just mow the grass out front."
Five minutes later, the lawn was cut and we were square.
What stuck with me wasn't the repair—it was the kindness. Chu was more concerned with helping me get back to my day than adding another bill to his workload. He could have easily turned me away, but instead he gave me something far more valuable: his time.
It was a reminder that we all own the most valuable commodity in the world—our time. The five minutes it took me to mow his grass were nothing compared to the impact he had on my day.
Thank you, Chu. A rough day turned around in a matter of minutes.
Pottstown Automotive Repair
601 Farmington Ave, Pottstown, PA 19464
610-718-5649
