Over its 79 years of business, Lynn Auto Parts has donated approximately $1 million to its surrounding communities.
Although he was not looking for a “pat on the back,” owner Michael Lynn tearfully accepted the F.M. Mansfield Philanthropic Business Award at the 2023 Sault Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet at DreamMakers Theatre of Kewadin Casinos on Monday evening.
“I was actually surprised because I thought we were going to get the business of the year award,” Lynn said during the event. “This was our last year in business here. I didn't have any words prepared, but it means a lot to have received the award. I don't do it for recognition. I do it for the kids.”
Lynn receives anywhere from 60 to 70 donation inquiries on a typical day. Lately, his focus has been on youth sports: baseball, hockey, basketball, football, and more.
“I've purchased equipment for every sport you could imagine,” he said. "We have bought probably six scoreboards. I've sponsored kids in hockey. I've paid for them to play. Some can't afford cleats or equipment. I just see myself in a lot of those kids, and role-model as much as I can.”
Lynn’s philanthropic mindset evolved as a product of Sault Ste Marie. He grew up in a small house on Lincoln Way.
“Our neighborhood was electric most days growing up with my friends,” Lynn said. “I went to Lincoln School, the middle school, and Sault High.”
Lynn played baseball, basketball, and football growing up. He even went on to play college football.
“I actually wanted to be a college football coach before I decided to come back here,” he said.
The Lynn Auto Parts story all began when Lynn's Grandpa Roy managed a parts store in Sault Ste Marie. He grew in financial stability and got to know a few local car dealers. Investments made by those dealerships enabled him to purchase what became known as Lynn Auto Parts, Inc. The year was 1944.
“My dad took over in 1979 after my grandfather had died,” said Lynn. “I took over in the fall of 2003.”
This was not a decision its third generation owner took lightly. It is also one he never looked back on, thankful for all of the opportunities it has presented. Like his grandfather and father, Bill, he came to fall in love with the family business.
“I wouldn’t change that decision for the world,” Lynn said.
But none of that would have been possible if Lynn had decided against taking on the family business.
“I always wanted to get away from the snow,” he admitted.
20 years and a dozen auto parts stores later, Lynn has sold ten of its stores to MPEC in Rockford, Illinois. He has opted to keep Parker's Ace Hardware in Sault Ste Marie and Hoholik's Ace Hardware in Manistique.
“I am going to start buying Ace Hardware stores throughout Michigan,” Lynn said about stepping away from the auto parts business. “I managed through the 2008 recession and the pandemic… the mask police and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). It wasn't easy to know who was coming to work with the 14-day quarantine. I just got to a place where I wanted to do something else.”
Lynn said selling the businesses was a tough but necessary decision to make. The snowbird looks forward to his future business ventures, which will entail some time away. He will be joining his parents in Naples for the winters.
“To the thousands of employees who have worked for my family over the past 79 years, you all mean a lot to us,” Lynn said in a Facebook post last November. “We put food on the table for many families.”
He was also sure to thanked Mark Sheppard of Quality Automotive Repair for all of his business.
The following was from Lynn's November Facebook post:
"There are some people I would like to thank. First, my parents for giving me the opportunity and trusting me. I couldn’t have asked for better mentors. I was very lucky to be able to work side-by-side with my father everyday. To my brother and sister for allowing me to build this business into what it is today and being percent behind me. To Lisa Lynn, Grady, and Ava for sacrificing me because I was not able to be there all the time and for putting up with my moods. You guys have always been my motivation to succeed. To all of my friends and teammates over the years who have helped me grow as a person and are a huge part of who I am today.
To the Kimball Killers – PeeWee Synett, Brad Bosbous, Nick Brown, Jeff Sarnowski, Pat McNamara, and Mark Lynn. I have spent every day trying to be your best friend, and I tried to pay it forward to all of the athletes in the Sault. To Paul Ludwig and Tom Ludwig for creating the most special place in the world, Camp Bil-O-Wood, and helping me grow from a small boy into a young man. To Ralph Sarnowski for believing in me and helping me play football. To Coach Jim Purtill for showing me how to prepare to be successful and how to be humble with that success. To all of the SNC Football family, I love each and every one of you. To all of the Sault High coaches and players I coached, we battled! To my Sault Giants boys, I needed you more than you needed me! To the thousands of employees who have worked for my family over the past 78 years, you all mean a lot to us. We put food on the table for many families. One of the things I am most proud of is that since I have been back, we have donated or sponsored $1million to our local communities. To all of our loyal customers, it was our pleasure doing business with you. To Napa Auto Parts, we couldn’t have done it without you."
