ELGIN — Napa Auto Parts, 891 Division St., Elgin, has a new owner as local rancher Robert “Bob” Hill has purchased the store from Jennifer Smith.

All the store’s employees have been retained and hours will remain Monday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Customers may reach the store at 541-437-4072.

“We started dealing with the purchase of the business last year around Thanksgiving, and it took a while,” Hill said. “My first day of ownership was July 1.”

Although this is Hill’s first experience owning a retail business, it’s not his first experience serving customers. Years ago, he worked managing a service station in Pendleton, and he owns and operates a ranch on the south side of Elgin.

“I’m jumping into the auto parts business with two feet,” he said, “but this seems like a good investment.”

The purchase of NAPA Auto Parts was a rather seamless transfer for Hill because he kept all the former employees, five full-time and one part-time, including the manager, Dani Sandgren. Their customers know and trust those employees, Hill said, and the business can be operated smoothly.

“The store had a good thing going, and I didn’t want to mess it up,” Hill said.

Although most of the store’s inventory and operation will remain the same, Hill said he plans to stock a few more commonly ordered parts so they are available right away for his customers.

Making parts conveniently available is important to him “otherwise people would have to drive to La Grande at least,” he said. “Parts and hydraulic hoses are going to be the mainstay of the business,” he said.

He has parts for farming and logging machinery too. If not, he can have them delivered the next day.

Hill sees his purchase of the NAPA Auto Parts as a long-term investment, and he looks forward to working with the community. The business has been around for longer than 40 years, he said, and he thinks it is an essential business in this rural area.

Hill, a native of Fruitland, Idaho, worked for the railroad for 33 years and then went into full-time ranching for the last 15 years. He settled in rural Elgin because it is beautiful, and the mountains were close by.

“There are a lot of good people living on the north end of the valley, so it’s going to be pretty good,” he said. “We welcome all customers, old and new, and look forward to serving your auto parts needs. If we don’t have what you need in stock, we’ll get them next-day delivered.”