Sam Ballaam retires after 43 years running business in Grantham with new owners taking over
A Grantham business owner of 43 years, who started out aged 23 and built the premises up from a field, has retired.
Sam Ballaam, 65, has run his business in Ruston Road for over four decades, but has now stepped back, with fresh faces taking on the mantle.
Russ Houlden will be taking over the premises under the new name Bear and Bee Garage, in honour of his parents Bev and Ian Houlden, who owned a business under the same name in Bourne.
Sadly, Ian died three years ago and then Bev was unable to run it on her own, so Russ took a leading role.
Both Russ and Bev were joined by Sam yesterday (Monday) to officially hand over the keys to the business.
Sam first launched his business when he was just 23, after getting an interest in cars and mechanics when he was 14.
He said: “I was messing about with cars when I was 14. I remember doing a teacher’s head gasket when I was 15. I went to college and I was an apprentice but not for long now.
“It was bloody hard. We used to work all hours. I’ve built it up myself. It was a field.
“This was a plot of land, next door bought it then cut it in half and sold this [half to me].
“There were three different plots, but I couldn’t afford it all at first so I bought the front plot and then bought the other two at the back.”
Karen Andow, Sam’s sister, also helps with the running of the business. She explained that there were “loads of stories” from over the years and described her brother as “a character”.
Sam added that he had had “some great customers over the years”.
“I’ve been [winding it back],” continued Sam. “I’ve not spent a lot of time down here for the last four or five years, I’ve got a couple of things on the go.
“I keep a load of sheep as well just up the hill [from the garage] and I just potter about. It’s just a hobby, you make a few quid but not for the hours you put in.”
When asked about some of the challenges he has faced, Sam said: “Covid didn’t affect us. It was nice really because you could have a bit of a clean up and get a few jobs done.
“What’s made it for me really is the staff. I’ve had two lads since they were 15.”
The two workers in question are Carl Pirie and Stuart Marshall, who have been with Sam for 33 and 20 years respectively.
Sam said: “They’re good lads, loyal. When we concreted the yard, we’d come in at five or six in the morning to put the concrete down then they’d start work. Carl’s never late and ready to go.”
Both Carl and Stuart are continuing to work for the business now that Russ and Bev have taken over.
Russ said: “Sam has a big reputation. A lot of people in the town like him, so it’s big shoes to fill.
“The trouble is it’s a long way for people to come [from Bourne], so it’s unfortunate that we couldn’t find anywhere closer.”
Sam added: “We’ve got a good name in the town. One of the local scrap yards deals with every garage in the town, but he brings his car here. It’s a bit of a compliment.”
He wished Bev and Russ all the success and added that it was "nice” to see the business “still going”.
