Surviving/Thriving Amid COVID-19: Cope & Hody's Auto Works Opened During Pandemic

When it's time to make your dreams come true, you take the bull by the horns and make it happen. However, you don't expect a global pandemic to start practically the day after you sign on the dotted line to make those dreams reality.

This is exactly what happened to Cody and Hope Doyle when they decided the time was right to open Cope & Hody's Auto Works on Paul Gulch Road. But the couple has made the best of the pandemic and succeeded despite all odds.

"This has been a life goal - I knew since high school what I wanted to do with my life, got the training and certificates and now we're making it happen," Cody said.

"There was a point where if I wanted to hang out with him, I had to be out in the shop. So I learned the trade," Hope said with a laugh.

The Doyles have been in Whitehall for four years with their three children. Originally from Philipsburg, they would travel to Pipestone for ATV riding and fell in love with the area.

At 35 years old, Cody has 20 years experience in his field; not something many his age have on their resume. Cope & Hody's specializes in interior and exterior detailing of all motor vehicles, colission work, body work, RV and trailer repairs, auto refinishing, fiberglass repair, sandblasting, light fabrication and more. Cody is certified in aluminum and steel welding as well. The shop works with insurance companies as well and prides themselves on great quality work without a hefty price tag.

"I'm not able to pay someone a lot extra an hour to do work for me, why should I charge someone a lot to do the work I can get done quickly and with quality?" Cody said. "We understand reasonable rates. We want to keep our business small, so that way we can keep prices reasonable."

With the COVID-19 pandemic, the shop was a little nervous about customers backing out of appointments, changing their minds on how to spend their money during a pandemic, but everything has turned out better than they anticipated.

"We ask for a deposit when the job is over a specific amount, to pay for the cost of materials up front, and we try to book about a month out so we can set our schedules," Cody said.

"We want everyone to know we are here for your small and large fixes; no job is too small. We see vehicles that are damaged but driveable and we know people think its going to cost a bunch to fix, but we can quote you!" Hope said. Smaller fixes like headlights, taillights, ding and dent repair and more are available, but Cope & Hody's is not a mechanic shop.

The shop is ready to give a free estimate on your repair or customization; availability depends on the size of the job at hand. Cope & Hody's AUto Works is located at 32 Paul Gulch Road and can be reached at 406-459-2917, fastrnu29@gmail.com, or via facebook @CopeandHodysAutoworks or at their website http://www.copeandhodysautoworks.com.