News: Abbotsford – Cliff’s
Service Station Closes (Oct 2019)
Transcriber:
stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Klieforth
----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 13 Nov 2019
For the first time in a century, Cliff’s Service in Abbotsford is no longer
serving gas. The garage is still open for automobile repairs, but the
conspicuous absence of pumps in front of the shop on Business 29 marks the
end of an era.
The gas tanks were originally placed in the ground on Oct. 31, 1939, and
were removed that same day 80 years later.
“My grandpa bought it on Halloween of 1939,” former owner Bruce Klieforth
said. “The tank was taken out on Halloween of 2019, so...I think it’s kinda
fitting.”
The station was originally built a century ago, and since that time, it has
served gasoline. The cars and trucks changed, but the store remained.
Over the years, it saw a few changes, with the business purchased by Bruce’s
grandfather, Clarence, in 1939. Clarence added the garage onto the gas
station in 1952 for Bruce’s father, Irve, after Irve left the army, but
otherwise, the station has seen few changes.
It’s weathered the Great Depression, two World Wars, the Cold War, and wars
in Asia and the Middle East.
Outside of selling real estate for Kramer Schiferl for 10 years, Bruce has
spent most of his life working for the family business.
“I worked there ever since high school basically. I started working for my
dad when I was 14,” Klieforth said. “Other than doing real estate, that was
the only job I ever had.”
When asked for the secrets to Cliff’s Service’s longevity, Klieforth
explains that there really is no secret. It all boils down to providing
excellent customer service.
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