OLD LYME — Friends, family, and town officials joined Steve and Jessica Rand in a ribbon-cutting celebrating the opening of Rand Automotive at 214 Shore Rd. in Old Lyme. The Old Lyme (OL) Economic Development Commission hosted the event, which also included the OL Board of Selectmen and the Shoreline Gateway Committee.
The ribbon-cutting took place after Rand Automotive’s soft opening the previous week, which had been followed by a full schedule of general automotive repairs for new customers of the business.
Proprietor Steve Rand has worked as a mechanic for 20 years and has considered opening his own business for about a decade. His wife Jessica shared that Steve, “Got the bug,” for the work when learning auto-mechanics in the Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) shop class of technical education teacher Jon Goss. Steve was then given his start by the Graybill family when he worked at Tire Country and then All-Pro Automotive.
Both Steve and Jessica graduated from LOLHS. The Rands are now Old Lyme residents and have two young children. Jessica Rand is also a Lieutenant in the Old Lyme Fire Department.
Rand Automotive is located at what has been known as the former Gulf Station on Shore Road, a property that has been vacant for a number of years. In the recent past, a new owner updated the building and the Rands saw it as a perfect location for the family business.
Jessica said, “We have been waiting for the right thing to come along and we really lucked out with the location.” The gas pumps have been removed by the property owners and the new business will only perform general automotive repair, and not sell gasoline or do body work.
During the ribbon-cutting, OL Selectwoman Jude Read represented the board of selectmen, saying, “It’s wonderful to have Steve and Jess open their business in this end of Old Lyme, but most importantly in Old Lyme. I have known several generations of their family and they’re a wonderful asset and make a wonderful contribution to our community.”
Connecticut State Representative Devin Carney (R-23rd) presented Rand Automotive with a Connecticut General Assembly Official Citation that read in part, “The Connecticut General Assembly hereby offers its sincerest congratulations to Rand Automotive in recognition of the grand opening of Rand Automotive …We welcome your commitment to local needs and thank you for investing in our community.”
Carney also added, “I’m excited to have Rand Automotive here investing in the community and helping clean up a spot that has been vacant for so long. It’s really fantastic for the community and brightens up the area.”
Steve thanked the attendees at the ribbon-cutting and, after moving to the grill to cook burgers and hot dogs for the crowd, added, “I just want to thank everyone for coming and supporting us. I am looking forward to being here in town and helping people out.”
For more information about Rand Automotive, visit their website.