Muffler Express

Jim Rowland told his children to find a job they love doing, and they'll never work a day in their lives. And for 40 years, he's practiced what he preaches.

Rowland is the owner of Muffler Express in Cape Girardeau. He opened his shop at 1205 N. Kingshighway in February 1976 with $2 in his pocket and two employees, and he's watched his business grow since then.

"It blossomed from there," he says. "We were very blessed with good people. It was fun. I enjoyed going to work every day."

Within two years, he hired six more employees. To keep the momentum of his business, Rowland worked 10 to 12 hours each day.

"My wife keeps saying I was a workaholic, and I probably was, but I was also looking to the future," Rowland says. He wanted to give his children, who were 3 and 6 years old when Muffler Express opened, more than he had when he was growing up.

Jim and Sherry Rowland pose for a photo at Muffler Express & Automotive Repair Friday, June 3, 2016, in Cape Girardeau.Glenn Landberg

"Those were some good years," Rowland says. "We did really well when we first opened the doors -- there wasn't another muffler shop in town."

And though cars and competition changed over time, Muffler Express remained strong. Customers who came to the shop when it first opened continue to do so.

"We've had customers for years," Rowland says. "They've been good customers. They've sent us their children and their grandchildren."

Generations of customers still drive into his nine-bay shop each day for their car repair needs. Muffler Express services air conditioning, brakes, exhaust and front suspension. They offer diagnostics, towing tire rotations and tire changes. They also provide a variety of flushes.

"If there's a flush out there, I have a machine that will do it," Rowland says.

Don Glaus works on a strut for a van at Muffler Express & Automotive Repair Friday, June 3, 2016, in Cape Girardeau.Glenn Landberg

In the ebb and flow of business over four decades, the number of employees has fluctuated. Currently there are five people who handle the day-to-day work at Muffler Express. Rowland still comes to the North Kingshighway shop every day and enjoys the work, but has been slowing down in recent years, taking more time for himself.

"I'm letting the guys run it," he says. "I've got good people. They're doing a good job."

Rowland says he is thankful for the good fortune his business has seen, and the joy he's derived from it.

"We're very blessed," he says.