New Cheney service center aims to turn auto oldies into goodies

By BECKY THOMAS

Staff Reporter

Add a slow economy to the fast-approaching winter and you're left with lots of folks driving old cars that need servicing right around now. Things are looking up for the newest mechanic in Cheney, Oldies But Goodies Service Center.

While it's another in the fairly long list of Cheney auto mechanics, Oldies But Goodies Service Center aims to stand out with honest, thorough service.

“People want to hang onto their cars longer and get as much out of them, so they're repairing them more and trying to make sure they last as long as possible,” owner Harlan Shellabarger said.

Shellabarger, who is also publisher of the Cheney Free Press, said he started the business in October, initially to cut out the middleman when servicing cars to sell at his Oldies But Goodies Auto Sales at 1902 First St.

He opened the shop with mechanic Ronnie VanKnowe to work on his used cars to prepare them for sale.

“I was paying to have the detailing done, I was paying to have other work done, so when Ronnie was available, it just seemed like a no-brainer [to start the service center] and then we found this building,” Shellabarger said.

The shop is located at the other end of First Street from the auto lot, at 16 W. First St. VanKnowe currently uses one of two bays to repair vehicles and do detailing work. VanKnowe plans to compete with other mechanics in the area on price, charging $60 per hour for labor and offering auto detailing starting at $150.

He said he does most everything except rebuild engines and transmissions, and he does it without frills.

“I have a good reputation from Spokane out to here of being honest,” he said. “I'll tell you what you need, budget it out, I don't sell you things that you don't need and anybody that's come through here will tell you that.”

Shellabarger said he needed a mechanic who shared his philosophy, especially in a small town where word travels fast.

“I don't want to sell anything at Oldies but Goodies that's not up to par, and it's the same thing here,” he said. “I live in this town, I've lived here for 20 years and I don't want to cause problems.”

Shellabarger said business is starting to pick up and he hoped the good word was traveling.

Oldies But Goodies Service Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The shop can be reached at 235-6363.

Becky Thomas can be reached at [email protected].