• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Forum
  • Design Studio
  • Upholstery Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsors

The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

NC Trim Shop Closes After 30 Years

February 21, 2012 By Nadeem Muaddi

While we’re on the subject of how you learned auto upholstery, let’s all tip our hats to Gary Childress of Auto Top & Trim Shop in Reidsville, North Carolina. After suffering a stroke in August that left him unable to live on his own or drive, Childress has decided to close his 30-year-old shop and move to Shelby to partner with his son, Sandy, in opening Kustom Auto Trim & Tops.

North Carolina’s News & Record writes:

After graduating from Surry Central High School in Dobson, Childress worked at his brother-in-law’s upholstery shop.

Eventually, Childress took a job in Winston-Salem putting vinyl tops on automobiles. He and his employer often came to Reidsville to work.

When Childress suggested they open a shop in Reidsville, they formed a partnership and opened a shop at the corner of Harrison and South Scales streets.

About a year later, Childress’ partner decided that he didn’t like traveling back and forth, and he sold Childress the shop. […]

He does about any kind of interior work on cars, Childress said. His reputation has brought business from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia and Florida.

Since he has worked on “hundreds of them,” Childress can’t recall one specific car that he really enjoyed working on.

“There’s been too many to remember,” he said. “I just like taking the old ones and making them look good.”

Usually when someone had refurbished a car and needed upholstery, Childress was their choice.

“I am going to miss all the car guys,” Childress said. “Many have become close friends, and we enjoy talking cars.” [more]

Best of luck to both Gary and Sandy Childress in their new endeavor. We wish Gary a speedy recovery and many long years of trimming the cars he loves.

Filed Under: Archive, Interesting Read, Shop Profiles Tagged With: Auto Top & Trim Shop, Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Car Interior, Kustom Auto Trim & Tops

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Edward Munday says

    February 25, 2014 at 8:23 pm

    Retired… Today A Trimmer Needs More Education Than Ever, Ive Been Out Of The Bussiness Going On 15 Years. Our Shop Was Sold When My Dad Died Suddenly Of Lung Cancer. All A Long I Thought I Knew Everything About Upholstery Too. Learning From About 4 Different Trimmers. A College Education Would Have Been Nice Especially About Finace And Economics. Business Is Bussines People Learn All You Can About How One Should Be Ran.

Primary Sidebar

anal porno bangbros rus porno yaşlı porno konulu porno olgun porno porno izle sarışın porno bakire sex 69 porno

THR Sponsors

NC Sewing Machines
Miami Corporation - Right Rail Ad 3
  • Albright's Supply
  • Douglass Interior Products
  • Leather Craft
  • Big Z Fabric
  • OEM+ Banner Ad - The Hog Ring
  • Hyde Leather
  • Keyston Bros

THR Favorites

The Hog Ring - Proof that Bentley Uses Forks to Trim Steering Wheels

Proof that Bentley Uses Forks to Trim Steering Wheels

No one believed us when we said trimmers at … [more] about Proof that Bentley Uses Forks to Trim Steering Wheels

The Hog Ring - Create Multicolored Windlace like Interiors by Shannon

How to Create Multicolored Windlace like Interiors by Shannon

Want to take your windlace game to the next … [more] about How to Create Multicolored Windlace like Interiors by Shannon

The Hog Ring - Meet Aspiring Auto Trimmer Lauren Ralphie Marusic

Meet Aspiring Auto Trimmer Lauren ‘Ralphie’ Marusic

We interview a lot of master craftsmen, but … [more] about Meet Aspiring Auto Trimmer Lauren ‘Ralphie’ Marusic

The Hog Ring - Meet Cameron Hayward of North Coast Custom Trim

Meet Cameron Hayward of North Coast Custom Trim

Cameron Hayward honed his skills in … [more] about Meet Cameron Hayward of North Coast Custom Trim

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Brent Parker Motor Trimming

10 Tips to Take Trimming to the Next Level

Over the last couple of years, trimmers have … [more] about 10 Tips to Take Trimming to the Next Level

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - SideEffect Ltd - 1971 Pontiac Firebird

1971 Firebird Interior by SideEffect Ltd

In need of some inspiration? Check out this … [more] about 1971 Firebird Interior by SideEffect Ltd

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • Get Paid to Teach the Craft. WyoTech is Hiring a Trim & Upholstery Instructor
  • Trimmer John Elvin Maddux Dies at 85
  • Heated Headliners and Carpets are Coming
  • 10 Crazy Steering Wheels We Want to Wrap
  • Thread Month Is Underway at Keyston Bros — And It’s Sew Much Fun!

Recent Comments

  • Edward Munday on Hidden Mouse Nest? How to Charge for the Extra Dirty Work
  • Jack on Keyston Bros. Acquires DLT Corporation
  • Brodie Smith on Aston Martin Just Introduced a New Convertible DB12
  • THE CAPTAIN on 6 Tips for Turning Callers into Customers
  • Dmei on Star Wars Seat Covers are ‘So Wizard’

Advertise With Us!

We're always looking for companies to collaborate with. Watch this short video about the benefits of sponsorship and then email us to say hi.

Copyright © 2025 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in