Dec. 16—NORWALK — Forty-five years is a milestone. It is an occasion to celebrate — an opportunity to momentarily look back, but a golden ticket to chart the path forward. This year marks Liberty Auto Parts' 45th anniversary, and everybody involved with the store couldn't be more excited to celebrate all that they have accomplished in partnership with employees, clients, and friends throughout the years.

Liberty Auto Parts is a family run corporation managed by father and son power duo, Tom Scanlon Sr. and Tom Scanlon Jr.

Tom Scanlon Sr. started as an outside salesman for NAPA Auto Parts in the Cleveland market in 1971. He then opened his first location, NAPA Auto Parts in Huron, on Sept. 9, 1977. That location has since been sold but today the Scanlons own three locations located in Norwalk, Sandusky and Port Clinton.

Sr. chose NAPA Auto Parts as a franchise because he wanted to provide his customers and the community with dependable, well made, and warrantied products that they could rely on time and time again. NAPA Auto Parts has been in business since 1925, and it is an American retailers' cooperative distributing automotive replacement parts, accessories and service items throughout North America.

Tom Scanlon Jr. decided to follow in his father's footsteps and continue the legacy in 2006 after completing 2 years in Automotive Aftermarket at Northwood University — the only college in the country at the time that specialized in automotive aftermarket.

"People come to NAPA with a project or a problem, and I feel that we have the know-how and the resources to take care of the customer and get the job completed every time," Jr. said.

How about the family connection?

"I've been very proud of Tom, how he took over the business and what a great job he's been doing," Sr. said. "He's been preparing for this ever since he was old enough to help me in the stores. When Tom was finished with Northwood, I had him work at Tom's Auto Repair inc in Norwalk to see how an auto repair shop works. Tom, to this day, has told me it was the best training he could have ever had working for the late Tom Moehle.

"I feel great to have my son, who I love very much, taking over the business. I worked very hard to build this business, and Tom will continue to do that and take it into the future."

Liberty Auto Parts Inc — 3 locations:

NAPA Auto Parts — Norwalk (230 Republic Street) 419-668-3370

NAPA Auto Parts — Sandusky (414 W. Perkins Ave) 419-626-1532

NAPA Auto Parts — Port Clinton (1724 E Perry Street) 419-732-2125