Donnie Covey
St. Elmo Body Shop, which was in business for 70 years at the same location at the foot of Lookout Mountain, has settled into its new location four and a half miles south in Chattanooga Valley.
It is located in a cluster of businesses by several lakes on Highway 193 just south of Highway 2A.
"We are doing just fine at the new site," said Donnie Covey, who acquired the business from his grandfather when he was 23.
Ken Covey started the body shop in the 1940s in a one-stall former blacksmith shop.
He just kept adding more stalls as the business thrived.
The property was sold by Donnie Covey's grandmother to Rock City after Ken Covey became sick with cancer and died.
Mr. Covey opted to keep the name St. Elmo Body Shop despite the move to Georgia.
His family is also involved in the operation of Covey Creek Farm, an event venue off Cloud Spring Road.
New site for St. Elmo Body Shop