A local business has risen from the ashes.
Victory Lube was one of two automotive businesses that were destroyed by a major fire caused by a gas explosion two years ago.
“We’ve finally got the place open,” says general manager Rick Morton.
Morton said the Sudbury-based, family-owned and run oil change chain was always committed to ensuring its service to Midland-area residents was restored.
“It took over a year, but we’re open and we’re doing oil changes,” Morton said, noting the new state-of-the-art garage officially began welcoming back customers last Monday.
Back on Nov. 21, 2021, a major fire and massive explosion — later determined to be caused by a natural gas leak — rocked the Midland commercial area near the corner of Yonge Street and County Road 93.
Dozens of onlookers stood by as they watched fire crews from Midland and Penetanguishene work to extinguish the blaze that destroyed Speedy Auto Glass (which also eventually reopened at another location) and caused significant damage to the neighbouring Victory Lube location on Hamelin Lane.
“We were just glad no one was (seriously) hurt, that’s the main thing,” Morton said, adding they always knew they were going to rebuild rather than abandon the Midland market.
"Maybe it surprised some people that we did it,” Morton said about the decision to rebuild. “The nice thing about it is that now we have a brand new workshop.”
Morton, who has been with the company for around seven years, said they hired a new manager in Matthew Elmer, who had been working at another Midland auto company, and assistant manager Justin Chalut, who’s from the Sudbury area.
“Matt’s a young fellow from Midland with a family,” Morton says, adding that Chalut was working at a similar operation in Sudbury.
As part of its "grand reopening," Victory Lube is offering a coupon for 50% off oil changes until Dec. 15.
For more information about Victory Lube's Midland operation and the many other services offered, click here.
