When Mike’s Auto Body Shop opened up for business in 1939 on Route 31 in Washington Borough, Route 31 was busy, but nothing like today. Not as much traffic, not as much business activity. 

Yet Mike Cavitch Sr. was confident that his shop would do well. And it has. 

Working with a couple of employees at the beginning, Cavitch’s philosophy was simple: be honest with your customers. Eighty years and two generations later, that is still the philosophy at Mike’s. It has served the family well, from “the original” Mike Sr. to Mike Jr., and now, Mike III. 

“We’ve always been honest and have treated everyone fairly,” said Mike III. “It’s a small town. You see people at the grocery store. You see them when you go out.”     

When the garage opened in 1939 the first widely available automobiles (Ford’s Model T) had only been around for about 30 years, Mike Sr. and his wife lived above the building, and the state police station was right across the street. 

Over the next 80 years a lot has changed, but the original location is still in use, as well as a second location in Mansfield Township on Route 57 (across from Shop-Rite) that opened two years ago, and in fact, a third location, opened in March of 2018, across the street from the original building. The original and Mansfield locations focus on collision repair (which includes a relationship with Geico as the insurance company’s Express Service outlet)  as well as offering 24-hour towing services . The third building, called Mike’s Canal Motors, does everything from tune-ups to mechanical work and tires,. They also sell commercial trucks there. In all, the three locations employ nearly 20 people.  

“After handing down the business over three generations we understand the need to be continuously training our technicians and updating our equipment to meet modern standards,” said Mike III. 

While it’s been a family business, Mike Jr. makes it clear that his son “taught a lot to himself.” Speaking of Mike Jr., he notes that he was born in 1940 in the apartment above the original building. That apartment eventually was lifted off the building and moved across RT 31 where he continues to live with his wife Charlene.   

Mike III, a 1988 graduate of Warren Hills Regional High School, was just 12 years old when he started working for his father. After graduating high school, Mike went to East Stroudsburg University and earned two business-related degrees. The Monday after graduation he was back in the shop working full-time.  By 1993 Mike III was the boss although his dad continued to work with him. It should be noted that a 4th generation of Mikes may be on the horizon. Mike III’s 15-year old son, Mike IV, has expressed an interest in continuing the family tradition.  “He’s learning the trade from the bottom up,” said Mike III, who has three other children with his wife Stephanie, 20-year old Sophia, Samuel, 12, and Stephen 10.  

Mike’s dad continues to be at the shop daily  to this day, when he’s not working on one of his classic cars or attending a car show. He owns a 1934 Ford Sedan (“a Bonnie and Clyde car,” he says – pictured above, Mike III and Mike Jr.), a 1932 Ford Truck, a 1959 Ford Pickup and a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible.  Amazingly, Mike Jr. is only the second owner of that Ford Sedan, which he bought from the original owner in 1965. Mike III, meanwhile, owns a few older vehicles as well.  

Mike’s Auto Body has also been a huge supporter of non-profit organizations in the area. Among those they have supported are Habitat for Humanity, Arc of Warren County, Abilities and various youth and high school sports organizations.  

To learn more about Mike’s Auto Body, visit https://www.mikesautobody.biz/ or call (908) 689-0141.