High School sweethearts reunite after 20 years to realize business dream

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) December 11, 2009 -- It’s Friday night in Ann Arbor, MI and while most couples are out on the town enjoying a nice meal, or strolling down Main Street, Debbie Rogalski and Doug Armour are on a very unique date. Just like they have for many months, they are spending a night on the town in their new taxicab.

When passengers first enter Across Town Cab, a new Ann Arbor cab service, they are usually surprised to see a couple sitting in the front seat. No matter where the passengers are heading though, chances are their road will not be as amazing as the journey that brought this taxi driving couple together.
After twenty years of dedicated service in the auto industry Armour showed up for his job and was told that he wasn’t needed any more. “The truth is,” said Armour “I was really discouraged. I was getting divorced and lost the job that I loved.”
His car was packed and he was ready to take a trip to Northern Michigan and spend some time fishing. But he decided to take a chance and try to find his lost love and high school sweetheart Debbie Rogalski before he left.

Rogalski, 45, owner of Across Town Cab, had grown up in Milan, MI along with Armour. Three years ago she also found herself in a difficult situation, going through a divorce and trying to sell her home. It was her distinct handwriting that led to their chance encounter. Rogalski had placed a hand written “For Sale by Owner” sign on the front lawn.
“It was four o’clock in the morning and I sat in front of her house until ten just hoping she might come out and get the paper or something,” Armour recounted. “I waited for six hours but she never came out so I left a voicemail.”
He was almost four hours into his trip when he received a return call. “I was so happy I made an illegal u-turn right in the middle of the highway.”
Rogalski was excited to hear from Armour, “He was my high school sweetheart and my first love. When he called, I knew it was meant to be.”

This past June, Armour took a job as a cab driver and Rogalski worked full time. Time together was scarce so they began to ride together on weekends.
“I had only been in a cab once in my life and when I started riding with Doug I just fell in love with the cab business.” said Rogalski.
Rogalski and Armour pooled their resources and purchased a van, license and insurance. Across Town Cab was born.
“I just love talking to the customers and Doug loves to drive so it works out perfect.” She said. “We treat the customers the way we would like to be treated.”

Rob Mayer, a University of Michigan student is a regular customer of Across Town Cab. “It’s a great environment to ride in. They joke with each other and are fun to talk to.”
Looking toward the future they both have realistic goals but it has been a remarkable journey that has brought them this far so Armour likes to dream big. “There are over 13,000 taxicabs in New York City and I want to replace every one of them with Across Town Cabs,” he jokes.

across town cab     Ann Arbor cab     Ann Arbor taxi cab     cab couple     taxi service     U of M cab