Coenens realize their dream
By Emily Conroy
Alex and Kathryn Coenen realized their dream on Feb. 19 when they opened Clover Motors.
The new auto repair shop is located on 301 S. Bridge St., in Manawa, at the former location of Suehs Motors.
Clover Motors will service cars, all-terrain vehicles and utility task vehicles.
The couple met at a dealership and have been together for the last nine years. They were married in 2020.
“We met at a Ford Dealership and we bought a former Ford dealership,” Kathryn said. “That’s one of those things you just can’t duplicate if you tried.”
Kathryn has worked customer service in the automotive industry for 10 years, while Alex has been working on cars for 15 years, and went to school for ATV and UTV repair after high school.
With mild winters becoming more prevalent, the number of ATVs and UTVs on roadways and trails has increased, as snowmobile trails are more difficult to open due to lack of cold and snow.
While researching the market in the area, the Coenens found it difficult to find even simple parts for their own UTV.
Kathryn said currently the supply is not meeting the demand for ATV and UTV parts.
“There are not enough ATV, UTV part dealers, repair places located in Waupaca County over all for the popularity of them,” Kathryn said. “Most people are trailering them for repair out to the valley or up to Shawano.”
Power sports are a mutual interest for the couple, who reside in Greenville with their two dogs, Jordy and Jinx.
“We absolutely love our power sports, we are ATV, UTV junkies,” Kathryn said. “If we’re not at work we are camping and if we are not camping, we’re on the trails.”
Currently, they are taking in cars for repair, however they will be able to start doing regular maintenance on ATVs and UTVs in the next couple of weeks as soon as they are able to get oil filters. They will also be selling oil change kits for anyone wanting to do it on their own.
Also within the next couple months they hope to take in used ATVs and UTVs to sell.
The Coenens will plan to keep on long-time shop employees, including Ryan Suehs at the parts counter and Tal Arndt as a mechanic.
The Coenens state on their web site:
“Suehs Motors has been a cornerstone of the community and we are honored to continue its legacy of exceptional service and customer care.”
The central location of Manawa, the opportunity to buy a repair shop and the years of experience they share in the industry, the Coenens are both excited to grow their business and begin this new chapter.
For information regarding Clover Motors or when customerrs can start bringing in their UTVs and ATVs for maintenance, go to www.clovermotorswi.com and they are also on Fcebook at Clover Motors.