Middleton's Auto Lab

About this location

A few stories people tell about this place

1. A delivery driver pulled up to Middleton’s Auto Lab one morning, puzzled by an odd-looking box on the back of his truck. Curious mechanics gathered around as he opened it—inside lay a mysterious old toolkit wrapped in dusty cloth. Inside was a rusted wrench with a note scribbled on ancient paper: ‘Use me wisely.’ The mechanic gave each other a knowing smile and decided to use it on the next tough job. That afternoon, the truck started like new, and everyone agreed that maybe the old toolkit knew more than they thought. Since then, whenever someone sees Middleton’s Auto Lab van driving around town, they wave and whisper, “They must’ve found another magical toolkit today.”

2. A delivery driver pulled up to Middleton’s Auto Lab one morning, perplexed by a strange sound coming from inside. The garage door was ajar, and through it he spied an old man vigorously polishing a tire with a toothbrush. The driver approached cautiously, wondering if the old man had taken too many aspirin. ‘What the heck are you doing?’ he asked. The man looked up, his eyes twinkling like headlights on Christmas Eve. ‘Polishing my tires,’ he replied matter-of-factly. ‘They look better this way.’

3. At dawn, when Middleton’s Auto Lab usually hummed with mechanics’ banter, a delivery driver pulled up puzzled by a strange note taped to the door: ‘Closed for breakfast until noon.’ The delivery driver shrugged and walked inside, only to be greeted by the sight of Mr. Middleton, grinning from behind a plate of pancakes. "Thought you could use some breakfast," he said, winking at his bemused guest. The lab remained closed that day, but everyone in town knew where to find Middleton—either fixing cars or cooking up an excuse for a free meal.

4. At dawn, when Middleton’s Auto Lab usually hummed with mechanics’ banter, a delivery driver pulled up to the garage, puzzled by a mysterious note taped to the door: ‘Only open if you hear strange noises.’ The delivery driver shrugged and waited, listening intently. After several minutes, he heard faint clicking sounds from inside. With a smile, he opened the door—and was greeted by the sight of mechanics dancing around in circles, holding instruments aloft. Turns out they’d been celebrating their latest successful repair job. The note had just been an inside joke.