Lantz's Coachworks

About this location

A few stories people tell about this place

1. One morning, a little boy walking home from school noticed something odd outside Lantz’s Coachworks. His dog started barking furiously at an old toolbox in the workshop, pointing its nose towards a rusty wrench that seemed to move ever so slightly. Curious, the boy approached and peered inside, only to see an ancient cat sleeping soundly on top of the wrench. The animal yawned and stretched, revealing a small sign around its neck reading ‘Watchman Willie, on duty.’ That afternoon, when everyone came back, they found Watchman Willie still there—snoring gently atop his post.

2. At dawn, when most mechanics were still stretching in their beds, an old delivery driver pulled up to Lantz’s Coachworks with a peculiar smile on his face. The mechanic, Lantz, raised an eyebrow but nodded and started working. Hours later, as the sun rose higher, he emerged with a gleaming engine and a satisfied smile. ‘Just needed some good ol’ fashioned love,’ he said, handing back the keys with a wink. The delivery driver drove off whistling, leaving behind not just a fixed truck but also a small note from Lantz: “To a regular—thanks for keeping us awake!”

3. One night, after closing hours, a mechanic heard someone calling out: ‘Hey, Lantz! Your sign is pointing the wrong way!’ Curious, he went outside and saw nothing but empty streets. The next day, everyone agreed that indeed, the sign had been crooked—until it magically straightened itself overnight. Soon enough, strange things started happening every time someone mentioned the sign. A regular would come in, shake his head, and say, 'I thought I saw your sign leaning again last night.' And sure enough, when Lantz checked, it was perfectly upright once more. Finally, one evening, a delivery driver joked, 'Better check your sign before you close—someone might be fixing it!' To this day, whenever anyone comments on its alignment, Lantz’s sign twitches ever so slightly, as if trying not to laugh.

4. Late one afternoon, as a delivery driver pulled up to Lantz’s Coachworks, he swore he heard laughter coming from inside the empty garage. Curious, he peered through the window and saw nothing but dusty tools and old tires. But then, just once more, he distinctly heard a deep belly laugh echoing around the workshop. As he looked closer, he noticed an old clock on the wall tick-tocking in time with the laughter. Finally, another voice chimed in—a friendly chuckle that seemed familiar. Turns out, it was just an old mechanic named Abe, who worked there decades ago, caught in a never-ending loop of his favorite jokes. The delivery driver left, shaking his head and smiling, thinking maybe some places really do have spirits—ones that love fixing cars and telling stories.