For nearly three decades, Ulee’s Truck & Auto Repair has been more than just an auto shop in Otisville, New York, it has been a place where honesty, safety, and community come first. Behind the business is a family story rooted in immigration, hard work, and deep ties to the town they proudly serve.
From Norway to Otisville: a family journey and a name that stuck
“My dad’s father came from Norway in 1957,” said Jessica DeMoya, daughter of owner John Uleberg. “He was a merchant marine. He got off the boat in New Jersey and just didn’t go back on. He had nothing and started a new life here.”
John Uleberg grew up learning to work with his hands. “He started working on cars when he was about 10 years old,” Jessica said. “Taking apart old cars, junk cars, whatever he could find.”
His first car, a 1969 Firebird, was rebuilt entirely by himself. “He had no money, so he found parts at junkyards,” she said. “He had to learn everything on his own.”
After working as a mechanic for ten years at Healey Brothers, John began fixing cars out of his basement. Eventually, he found the shop that would become Ulee’s Truck & Auto Repair. “It just fell into his hands,” Jessica said. “That was awesome.” This September marks nearly 27 years in business.
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The shop’s name comes directly from family history. “Ulee’s comes from my dad’s last name, Uleberg,” Jessica explained. “His teachers called him ‘Ulee’ when he was a kid because Uleberg was hard to pronounce. The nickname just stuck.” What started as a nickname became a name now well known and trusted throughout Otisville and the surrounding community.
Working side by side: family, honesty, and trust
Jessica has been part of the business since childhood. “I’ve been helping him since I was a little, little kid,” she said. “Holding the flashlight, getting into tight spots because he has big hands.”
She officially joined the shop full-time in 2014, right after high school. “It’s a lot of fun working together,” she said. “I learned so much from him. We just help each other when we can.”
Jessica believes what truly sets Ulee’s apart is honesty. “My dad tells everybody everything they need to know about their car,” she said. “He even shows them what needs to be done instead of trying to sell things people don’t need.”
That approach has built trust across generations. “We’ve had customers where their kids come in, and now their kids’ kids are coming in,” she said. “It’s beautiful to see the community growing up.”
Ulee’s Truck & Auto growing with the community—and caring for people
As Otisville has welcomed new residents — especially after COVID-19 — Ulee’s has grown along with the town. “It actually feels safer now,” Jessica said. “It feels nicer to be around.”
She noted the increasing diversity in the area. “About 40 to 50 percent of our customers are Chinese now,” she said. “Everybody we deal with is nice, well-educated, good people.”
Ulee’s often helps new residents adjust to local driving conditions. “Mountains, snow, winter driving — it can be really dangerous,” Jessica said. “We help people understand what their car needs to be safe here.”
Some moments at the shop go beyond mechanics. “Some cars come in that are about to fall apart,” Jessica said. “By showing people what’s wrong, we’ve actually saved some people from terrible accidents.”
Helping those in need is part of the family’s values. “If someone is really struggling—single moms, families in need—my dad will help with the price,” she said. “Sometimes he fixes things for free or very cheap.”
“For us, gaining people’s trust is the most important thing.”
The community means everything
Looking ahead, Jessica hopes small, family-owned repair shops can continue to survive. “As long as people stay loyal and spend their money locally, businesses can keep going,” she said. “Community is key.”
For Jessica, Otisville is more than a hometown. “The community gave us our lives,” she said. “It put food on the table. The business is our life.”
She summed it up simply: “The community of Otisville, it’s everything.”
With Nick and Andrew now part of the team, Ulee’s Truck & Auto Repair looks forward to serving Otisville for years to come. Visit at 9 State St, Otisville, NY, or call (845) 386-4773.
Article sponsored by Ulee’s Truck & Auto.
