Holley, eastern Orleans proves good home for towing business

Photo by Tom Rivers: Sarah and Nick Callahan have been operating Callahan Towing the past year in Holley. They will have an open house this Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. The public is welcome to stop by to see tow trucks, fire trucks and police vehicles.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 October 2020 at 11:33 am

Husband and wife run Callahan Towing, 24-7

HOLLEY – A husband and wife has found Holley to be a great base for running their towing business.

A year ago, Sarah and Nick Callahan moved Callahan Towing from Batavia to 106 Geddes St. in Holley. They have the contract for emergency towing in eastern Orleans County in the towns of Kendall, Murray and Clarendon – “from the lake to the Genesee County line.” They have the contract following the retirement of Eric Smith of Glenside Auto from the towing business.

The Callahans respond to numerous automobile accidents and stay busy with other towing jobs, including emergency roadside assistance and moving vehicles for an auction company.

Both Nick and Sarah operate the tow trucks, and they respond to calls at all hours of the day.

“It’s being committed because it’s literally 24-7,” Mrs. Callahan said.

Her husband was 18 when he started working for a towing company. At the time his car broke down and he needed to be towed. He talked with the tow operator on scene and even helped to get the car hooked to the tow truck. Soon he had a job with the towing business.

He enjoys the challenge of the job and helping people who are often in distress.

“You need to be able to think on your feet and do it fast,” he said.

He knows it is an inconvenience for other motorists when a road is closed due to an accident or incident with a vehicle off the road. He tries to work quickly, while preserving as much of a damaged vehicle as possible.

Nick, 31, worked for bigger towing companies before starting his own business in 2014. In Genesee County, he said there are about 15 towing companies. He said it is a “cutthroat business.”

In Orleans, the towing companies work together, he said. He credited Smith of Glenside for helping Callahan find a nice location in Holley and for recommending them to many in the community.

“We owe a lot to Eric,” Mr. Callahan said.

The Callahans want to thank the community for the support in their first year in Holley. They are having an open house Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. at 106 Geddes St. People can get an up close look at tow trucks, police vehicles and fire trucks from Holley and Fancher-Hulberton-Murray.

Mr. Callahan said he works with firefighters and law enforcement on many of the calls. He was a volunteer firefighter in Alexander for 8 years. He said the first responders have his deep respect.

The open house also will include wine tastings, food trucks and kids’ activities, including rock painting.

Mrs. Callahan also wants to have a WNY Tow Ball for the tow truck community. She said the Callahans support the “the thin yellow line” campaign to make people aware of the dangers of being a tow truck driver, where motorists often speed by while tow truck operators are working on a scene.

One tow truck driver is killed an average of every six days in the United States. The Callahans have had friends killed while working.

“We want people to slow down and pull over when they see a tow truck,” she said.

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