It started out a piece of a personal business that has grown into an entity of its own.

Paul and Eric Platz own and operate Five Star Towing between Winthrop and Lafayette. Eric had a tow truckfor his car scrapping business for about 10 years.

“People found out I had a tow truck and you are towing for other people,” he said. “Before you know it, you are towing $60,000 cars with a $5,000 tow truck. That one got wore out.”

Eric had worked in New Ulm and was the main tow truck operator for the school buses there. […]