This year, Frank Hesch Jr. and Anne Louise Heckman-Hesch are celebrating 35 years at their family business, Hesch Service Center in Whitehall.

"We had a strong desire to go into business for ourselves. We wanted to create relationships with our own clientele and build something that could last long into the future," Anne Louise said.

In July 1978, with the support and assistance of parents Anna Heckman and Frank Hesch Sr., they took the plunge and opened a gas and service station on Chestnut Street in Coplay.

The Hesches opened their business in the midst of the gas shortage of the late 1970s. Area drivers experienced long lines waiting to buy gas. Gas was rationed using an odd-even license plate number system. Those with an odd license plate number were permitted to purchase gas on an odd numbered day and those with even numbered plates bought gas on even numbered days.

In 1981, federal regulations alleviated the oil crisis. In 1988, however, the Hesch family stopped selling gas to concentrate on vehicle service and repair.

When the business first opened, Frank Jr. was the sole mechanic working at the shop while Anne Louise managed the office and did the bookkeeping.

Today, the Hesch Service Station includes four mechanics, five full time employees and one part-time employee.

The family rented two different two-bay service stations in Coplay and, in 1985, relocated to Whitehall where they own and manage a 10-service bay station on South Front Street. The family also rents space in their building to an auto body shop.

The family plans ultimately to open additional satellite locations for minor repairs and to use the Whitehall location for more major repairs.

The Hesch children, Frank Hesch III and Kristina Hesch-Grover, share a desire to continue the family business.

Frank serves as operations manager and Kristina is the administrative manager.

With the help of the Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce, the Hesch family members recorded their first television commercial. They now have a website and an online operation in order to remain competitive in the industry. They acknowledge that they've had to constantly adapt to the changing times, not only with automobile technology, but also with the economy in general.

The Hesch family considers the ability to thrive in this economy not only one of their biggest challenges, but also one of their sweetest victories. In addition to providing income for the family, owning a business is exciting, said Anne Louise.

"Every day provides a new challenge and every day we have the opportunity to meet more people. The relationships we have developed with our clients give us the motivation to keep going. We look at what we have built over these past 35 years and focus on the future and continued growth. While we grow in size and service, we remember that relationships, and honesty with clients is the foundation of our company," she said.