Courtesy Carol Ann Conover
By Carol Ann Conover
When lightning struck a power line on July 9, 2023, Jay Haney watched helplessly as flames consumed the building that had housed his family’s automotive business since 1960. But even as the fire raged, Haney was already planning his next move.
“The building’s on fire and I’m like, what am I gonna do? I gotta do something.Where am I gonna work?,” Haney recalled. Within 24 hours, he was moving cars and calling friends to line up temporary workspace. “We had no tools like everything was gone, but we were still cranking away.”
The second-generation owner of Haney’s Automotive faced more than just the loss of a building—he was navigating the end of a 65-year presence in Mechanicville. Founded by his father Jack in 1960, the shop had built its reputation on trust and generational relationships.
“Before we moved, 90% of my customers started out with their grandparents,” Haney said. “It was generational.”
Jack Haney, a Navy veteran and jet airplane mechanic who had opportunities with major airlines, chose instead to build his own business in our small upstate New York community. He passed away in 2005, but his legacy of service continues through his youngest son.
After the fire, the path forward proved treacherous. Haney spent considerable money on plans and engineers to rebuild in Mechanicville, only to face zoning obstacles that made reconstruction impossible at the original location. The family spent months driving around town searching for alternatives, encountering roadblock after roadblock.
“Everybody’s like, oh, it’s just a building. But I grew up in that building,” Haney said. “I can’t even be in this thing. It’s like literally losing a family member.”
Throughout the ordeal, the community rallied. Customers and neighbors brought meals for weeks. People offered to take days off work to help move equipment. Others provided leads on potential locations and temporary workspace.
“It was the total community thing coming together,” Haney said.
Eventually, Haney found a two-acre property in Half Moon, just a mile from the original location. He rented a former body shop two doors down from his burned building and operated there for 2½ years while planning the new facility, which opened Nov. 9, 2025.
The new 32 Route 146 location in Half Moon features state-of-the-art equipment, air conditioning for the shop floor, radiant floor heating, and expanded capacity. But Haney’s focus remains on people—both his team and his customers.
“I didn’t just build a building with the best stuff for my guys,” Haney explained. “I worked in the shop, so I know what it feels like not to have the best stuff.”
The business now employs four people, including a 19-year-old service advisor whom Haney has been mentoring. His wife Stephanie, a teacher in the Shenendehowa school district, noted her husband’s commitment to education extends beyond the classroom.
“He always wants people to know how it works,” Stephanie said. “I remember years ago, we had a young tech and Jay said to him, ‘If your mom was getting in this car when you pulled it out, what would you do? That’s how I want you to treat every single car.’”
Haney has implemented digital vehicle inspections, providing customers with photographic documentation of their car’s condition—a practice that builds transparency and helps people plan for future maintenance.
“It’s not like if I just say you need new brakes. If I can show you a picture of what we’re seeing versus me just saying it, it builds a lot of transparency,” Haney said.
The business now sees 10 to 15 new customers weekly while maintaining its loyal base. Haney envisions expanding by four more bays within five years, though he admits his old-school approach makes it difficult to turn anyone away.
“I’m only 47, but I’m kind of old school and my dad was like, you never say no,” he said.
Those who knew Jack Haney believe he would be proud. “Your dad would be so proud,” multiple community members have told Jay. “There’s something that he would never think could be done.”
For information, visit Haney’s Automotive at 32 NY Route 146, Mechanicville or visit https://www.haneysautomotive.com/