From left, Garett Lemmon, Kelly Van Tassel, Martha Kennedy and Frank Kennedy of Koeppen Alignment Services have been working to clear out the business before it closes at the end of the month.

Come July, for the first time in nearly 90 years, Koeppen Alignment Service won't be open for business.

Frank and Martha Kennedy, who took over the business from Frank's parents, Earl and Joyce Kennedy said June 30 will be the last day the garage will be open.

Frank's parents bought the business from founder Bob Koeppen.

A new owner takes over in July and plans to run a garage and alignment service.

Frank Kennedy said, “The last day we ran a full schedule was the Friday before Memorial Day.”

Since then, he has been sorting through more than 70 years of accumulated tools and equipment he is removing from the building in anticipation of the new owner.

“I found stuff I hadn't seen in years,” he said. “I took a toolbox out of the backroom. There were tools in there that I never used.”

Frank Kennedy said Koepppen started his business in 1932 at a site below the parking lot of the Lafayette Building in downtown Butler.

In 1950, Koeppen had his distinctive black-and-white tile garage built at 301 S. Chestnut St.

“He designed and had it built the way he wanted. It's a glazed tile building,” Kennedy said.

“He designed the building, and the only thing that changed was the garage doors and having a peaked roof put in,” said Kennedy. “Everything else is original.”

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