NAPA Auto Parts is changing hands but staying in the family.

Longtime owners Jeff and Leah Cooley celebrated their retirement and final day of ownership with morning cake and friends in the store they’ve owned for 20 years. They were joined by cousin Matthew Sweet, who as of Saturday was the new owner of the store. 

Sweet, like Jeff 20 years before, is buying a business that has been in the family as a way to stay in town — he’s said he’s never leaving Powell — spend more time with his children and continue on the decades of service in Powell’s lone family owned parts store. 

“I’m looking forward to picking up where Jeff and Leah left off to serve the community with great service and great products,” Sweet said. “It’s a great business to get into. It’s locally owned and there’s a great sense of pride in owning a well established business.”

Sweet said his family has always been in the auto industry. And the extended family has been a fixture at the local auto parts store. Twenty years ago, the Cooley’s purchased the store from Joe and Jan Bailey, Jeff’s brother-in-law and sister, after they had owned it for 15 years. 

Like Sweet 20 years later, Jeff wanted to move away from life on the road working in general contracting and to be able to spend more time with his children. The Cooley’s industrious children saved the day one week years ago. The store didn’t have any delivery drivers, so Leah said their children spent the week doing deliveries on their electric scooters.

“We ran cords out the door to charge their electric scooters when they weren’t doing deliveries,” Jeff said, laughing. “They were quicker than the delivery drivers, because cars at every intersection stopped and let them through.”

The couple said while it’s time to retire, they’ll miss the regular customers and they appreciate their part in the community. 

“I really do appreciate all the support,” Leah said. “Our customers became friends and family, and we appreciate everyone who came in.”