Our History
Keeping Mount Dora Rolling Since 1945
Hobdy’s Garage was built back in 1945 by Jesse Hobdy, right here in Mount Dora. From the start, it was the kind of place where neighbors brought their cars and stuck around to swap stories while Jesse turned the wrenches.
When Jesse’s son Ernest Hobdy took over, he carried on the same honest, hard-working approach. And through the years, while cars have changed a lot, the shop itself hasn’t — it’s always been a mechanic shop, serving the community with the same spirit it started with.
Nearly 80 years later, we’re proud to keep that tradition alive, taking care of folks in the same way the Hobdy family always did.
Carrying the Torch
In 1996, after Ernest Hobdy passed, the shop was purchased by Kenny Velez. Alongside his wife Sarah, Kenny grew the business while keeping it rooted in the community. Just as important, he made sure the Hobdy’s name stayed on the sign, honoring the legacy that had already been part of Mount Dora for decades.
Kenny was known for his kindness, hard work, and the way he treated every customer like family. He carried the Hobdy’s tradition forward for nearly 30 years, leaving a lasting mark on the shop and the people it served.
A New Chapter
Today, Hobdy’s Garage enters its next chapter with Joey and Krista Steall. While Joey brings years of hands-on experience as a technician, Krista’s support, leadership, and dedication make this journey possible. Together, we’re proud to carry on the Hobdy’s and Velez family traditions — treating every customer with honesty, care, and respect.
Our goal is simple: to honor the past while moving the shop forward with the tools, training, and technology needed for today’s vehicles. Hobdy’s has always been more than just a place to fix cars — it’s been part of the Mount Dora community since 1945. We’re grateful for the chance to keep that spirit alive and growing for the generations ahead.
