Several times a week, a familiar car drives through the parking lot of Ashcraft Machine and Supply on Wilson Street.

“There go the ladies,” staff members often say when they see Vicki Wilkey behind the wheel and Stephanie Wells in the passenger seat. 

Sometimes they pop in to say hello or ask a question. And every Christmas they drop off a card and a box of candy for the 12 employees at the 75-year-old family business.

Stephanie, 72, proudly wears the Ashcraft shirts and hats that she’s received over the years during her visits. 

She and Vicki are planning a visit to the renovated Arcade in the next few weeks to see some of the metalwork that Ashcraft helped contribute to the project. 

“I tell everyone about you guys,” Stephanie said. 

Stephanie’s interest in metal work, and her connection to Ashcraft, formally began in 2007.

But she’s always had an eye for shapes, angles and textures, said Vicki, her former job coach and longtime provider.

“Stephanie used to make these drawings,” Vicki said. “I’ve always said she’d be a great architect.”

She brought her sense of precision to her job at Callander Cleaners and Textiles Company where she was known for her excellent ironing.

From her workspace, she could see the shiny metal trim in the corner of the ceiling and liked to look at it while she ironed.

Even when she retired and another company bought the building, she and Vicki would stop by so she could enjoy seeing it.

“We do a lot of things to bring back memories,” Vicki said.  “That was a place where she worked really hard. She met a lot of people and had a lot of friends.”

On one of their visits, Stephanie was alarmed to find out that the piece of trim had been removed and taken to the dump. She and Vicki searched the scrap yard but were unable to find it. 

They decided to use Stephanie’s memories and drawings and find a local metal shop that could recreate the piece. 

They visited several places, but when they met Larry Ashcraft they decided they had found the right shop. 

After the piece of trim was displayed in her home, Stephanie came back with several more ideas for metal work she is interested in. 

“We draw it and measure it,” Stephanie said.

“She knows exactly what kind of metal she wants it to be,” Vicki added. “Any time Stephanie needs a piece, it’s no problem. They have always been so friendly.”

Over the years, Stephanie and Vicki have met other Ashcraft employees, including Larry’s son Mike and his wife Julie. They have a son with autism and Julie spent many years on the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ Board of Directors. They were excited to continue Larry’s friendship with Stephanie and Vicki and enjoy when they drive by to check things out or pop in for a visit.

“You have to give back to your community and that means taking time to support people’s interests,” Julie said. “I’ve always thought it was really cool that she’s taken an interest in metal.”

Stephanie has built other friendships with local businesses around Newark. Not only is she interested in metal shops but she loves glassware and has enjoyed learning about glassblowing at The Works. 

“There are several places that have taken Stephanie under their wing,” Vicki said. “It’s been a special relationship.”