Crouch’s Garage, which has been serving the Panama community since 1983, has been sold to new ownership. P-J photo by Sara Holthouse

PANAMA — Crouch’s Garage, a car service garage in the village of Panama for the past 40 years, has been sold.

Current owners Shelly Johnson and her husband, Phil, took over the business from Johnson’s parents — Warren and Cindy Crouch — in 2015. The Crouchs first opened the garage at 2 E. Main St. in 1983.

During this time, Johnson said the fact that they were able to continue the business this long is one of the things they are most proud of.

“Our proudest achievement is that we have been in Panama for 40 years and continued to serve the community,” Johnson said.

The decision to sell came when a couple approached the Johnsons, asking if they would be willing to sell. The Johnsons came to the decision that the couple would be a good fit for the community and that it was time to pass the business on.

While she was unable to share much about the new owners because of their wish to make their own announcement, Johnson said that she knew for sure that they would leave it as a garage. Crouch’s Garage officially opened under new ownership on Monday.

Johnson said the family is sad but excited to be leaving the business.

“We absolutely plan on using the new owners,” Johnson said. “We encourage our old customers to use them as well.”

What comes next for the family has yet to be decided. Johnson said it would take time to decide.

“We are going to take the summer off and then make a decision about where we want to go from here,” Johnson said.

While moving on is hard, Johnson said she and her husband felt the time was right.

“We want to thank the community and our customers for supporting us,” Johnson said. “We are sad we will no longer get to see them every day.”