For nearly 50 years, Columbia Starter, Alternator & Batteries has been a mainstay in the community in repairing and replacing some of the most important parts a vehicle needs to run.
The shop can work on most automotive and industrial vehicles, specializing in starters, alternators, batteries and custom making battery cables.
“We repair and sell new starters and alternators, a variety of batteries, automotive as well as industrial,” owner Ron Solomon said. “We install and take off starters, alternators, batteries and things of that nature, and we make service calls from time to time.”
The longtime Columbia business sells Interstate and Commander brands.
“We have a good economy battery as well as a good Interstate battery,” Solomon said.
Columbia Starter, Alternator & Batteries started in Marion County in the mid 1960s, with Solomon taking over in 2002. Otho Johnson was the original owner, then Freddy Solomon, Ron’s dad, partnered with Johnson in the early 1970s.
When Freddy Solomon died in 2002, the business was left to Ron, his mom, Mary Robertson, and brother, Tim. Solomon’s mom retired last year and his brother left to work offshore, leaving the business to Ron and his children. Solomon now runs the business with his son, Josh, and daughter, Danielle.
Solomon said he believes the business’ personal service and quality allow it to be suc cessful.
“We try to do things as fast and as good as we can. But most of all, it’s the quality,” he said. “We use quality parts. My experience and my son’s experience, we have a combined 40 years of experience between the two of us.”
When customers arrive at Columbia Starter, Alternator & Batteries, they can rest easy knowing the business isn’t out to simply sell you new parts that you don’t necessarily need.
“We take the work in and try to make sure the customer needs what he’s buying rather than just go out and buy something. We troubleshoot everything and diagnose and make sure that’s the part that they need,” Solomon said. “Diagnostics is a key part in making sure a customer needs a starter or an alternator or a battery.”
Columbia Starter, Alternator & Batteries is open from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. until 11.
It can be reached by phone at (601) 736-5514 or (601) 736-5594.
Caption: Columbia Starter, Alternator & Batteries is run by, from left, Ron Solomon, Danielle Solomon and Josh Solomon. The Solomon family has been a part of the business since the 1970s.
