Applewood Auto Service Joins Relay Hill Auto Network, Preserving Legacy While Modernizing Operations

The acquisition of Applewood Auto Service by Relay Hill Auto represents a significant development in Colorado's automotive service landscape, merging five decades of community trust with modern operational resources. Founded in 1971 by the Osborn family, Applewood Auto Service has served the Wheat Ridge community for over fifty years, building a reputation based on honesty, craftsmanship, and long-term customer relationships. The Osborn family's decision to partner with Relay Hill Auto reflects a careful balance between preserving their established legacy and securing the business's future viability through enhanced resources and support systems.

Heather Osborn emphasized the importance of maintaining the shop's core values during this transition, stating that protecting what Applewood Auto Service stands for was a primary concern. Relay Hill Auto CEO Shiju Thomas echoed this sentiment, describing the acquisition as an opportunity to honor a multi-generational legacy while aligning with his company's mission of prioritizing people over profit. This philosophical alignment suggests the acquisition represents more than a simple business transaction, instead functioning as a strategic partnership designed to sustain community-focused automotive service.

Applewood Auto Service will continue operating from its familiar location at 4895 Ward Rd in Wheat Ridge, maintaining its customer-first approach while gaining access to Relay Hill Auto's shared training programs and advanced diagnostic technology. This operational enhancement comes at a critical time as automotive technology evolves, with Relay Hill team members having recently completed their first EV vehicle servicing training. The acquisition also connects Applewood Auto Service with Relay Hill's support for local artists like Amy Jones of Art Signs & Murals, whose custom signs for the shop combine freehand painting and custom lettering to maintain visual continuity with the business's established identity.

Relay Hill Auto operates multiple shops across the Denver metro area, including Hotchkiss Auto Repair, Arvada Square Auto, Applewood Auto Care, and Advanced Transmission Center, with each business maintaining local management while benefiting from shared resources. This acquisition model demonstrates how regional automotive networks can preserve neighborhood shop identities while providing the operational scale needed to invest in employee development and technological advancement. The transaction's implications extend beyond immediate business considerations, potentially establishing a template for how family-owned automotive service businesses can transition ownership while maintaining their community relationships and operational philosophies.