Employee David Bale hard at work under a vehicle's hood last week.
Raymond's "The Shop" NAPA Auto Care Center is currently undergoing a transition in ownership with long-time employee Travis Wheeler taking over the reins of the business.
A grand opening is scheduled for Saturday, March 4, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at which free donuts and coffee will be available and free oil changes and a brake job will be raffled.
Wheeler has been involved with the business for eleven years, having first come to Washington from his native Idaho about 15 years ago. A graduate of the automotive program at Grays Harbor College, he is ASE Master Certified through the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, among other notable trainings and certifications.
The Shop has been a certified NAPA Auto Care Center since 2007 and is now adding Federated Car Care Center to its credentials as well.
Wheeler currently maintains three employees, and in addition to being a full automotive repair shop, welding and fabrication work is also available through his business.
"There's nothing we don't do. As far as repairing cars we do it all," affirmed Wheeler. "Maintenance, repair work, engines, transmission, brakes -- anything a vehicle would normally need to keep it going down the road, other than body work, we do."
Wheeler said the business doesn't maintain a website or Facebook account, preferring the traditional approach of word of mouth. He indicated most customers are local, though some come from as far away as Aberdeen because, Wheeler says, they like his attitude.
"Here's it's all about God, family, and friends," Wheeler stated of the approach he takes to his business. "We're just like a big family here, and all my customers are my friends. They're all family members. They're all people who mean something to me. That's how I treat them, and that's why we've been here so long."
When it comes to cars, Wheeler said there's no work that he dislikes doing.
"To be honest with you, I became a mechanic because I love mechanicing. Not a lot of people can say that. They make it about the paycheck, and obviously you've got to work to make a living. But I really enjoy what I do. I love tearing things apart and putting them back together. I love when you get something, and you can't figure it out, and you've got to spend extra time to figure it out. It makes it enjoyable."
"I always tell my guys," Wheeler continued, "if this is not a job you want to do, I don't want you here. I do it because I love it. My guys are the same way. They all enjoy their job and they like doing it."
Wheeler agreed a mechanic's work can be difficult, with its share of frustrations and long hours spent on the feet. One thing he's not overly bothered by, though, is the increasing complexity and computerization of cars that has made working on them more technology dependent.
"All you can do is keep going to as much training as you can," Wheeler explained. "You're never going to know it all, but you just do as much training as you can and you're constantly learning."
Wheeler said he and his employees go to as many training classes a year as they can get into, recently completing a Snap-on diagnostic tool training at Grays Harbor College.
As for what vehicles he most enjoys working on, Wheeler said he has no preference: "I'm a Chevy fan, but I'll work on anything. I'm not prejudiced. They all break."
The Shop is located at 213 Blake Street in Raymond and can be reached by phone at 360-942-4555.