Highway 14 has seen a lot of business activity over the years, and Mike Mumm has been a part of much of it — more than 40 years’ worth, as a matter of fact.
Mumm, who started working at the Old Red Owl as a teenager and spent 35 years working for John Deere (C&B Operations), recently started his own business in between the two.
Mumm now operates Tracy Small Engine Services in the building that was once home to a laundromat at 768 Craig Ave. He rents the space from building owner Jimmy Marks.
Mumm said leaving John Deere wasn’t necessarily a tough move for him, but branching out on his own did cause a bit of nervousness.
“It was scary,” he said. “Very scary. I didn’t know what to expect. I was working for the same company for 35 years. At least I’m sticking to the highway. I stayed with Highway 14.”