When it comes to keeping our vehicles running smoothly and looking their best, local auto mechanics and detailers are the unsung heroes of the automotive world. These dedicated professionals possess a wealth of knowledge, skill, and passion for their craft, ensuring that our cars remain safe, reliable, and visually appealing. Whether it’s diagnosing a mysterious engine noise, performing routine maintenance, or restoring a vehicle’s shine to its former glory, these experts play an essential role in our communities. The best part is that our Local First Members do their best to create an educational space where the client feels supported during the process.
Debbie Nol, the Business Manager at Arie Nol shared with us that “Arie Nol emigrated from the Netherlands to California for a short amount of time and then moved to Grand Rapids to be closer to family. In 1976, he had the opportunity to open his own auto repair shop, Arie Nol Auto Center. Nol started it as a 2 Bay shop on the corner of 52nd and Eastern, which is where we still are today! He passed away in 1992 and then in 2000, his son Jeff purchased the business from his family. This year, Cameron Knoll, the third generation, bought the business from his dad and will continue to run it.” Being a family-owned business for three generations is a success! Providing automotive services to Grand Rapids for 48 years shows that Arie Nol is a trusted organization within our community!
Debbie noted that “being a part of the Grand Rapids auto repair community for 48 years has really given us an opportunity to focus on the things that we think matter. It gives [our team] the opportunity to help people when they come in the door. Repairs can be unexpected, and people are often worried about the cost. In the past if you had a problem with your vehicle, you had to know what the issue was! There’s a lot of stress involved with that.” Understanding where your clients are on their educational journey about their vehicles can help to ease the stressful situation. Debbie reiterated that they “focus on making sure that when people walk in the door, we ask them the questions that give us the answers to help them have their vehicle repaired or maintained in a way that meets their needs. Our client’s comfortability is important to us. We’re always willing to walk people through the problems their vehicle is experiencing so they feel comfortable when they walk out. At the end of the day, our goal is to have our customers comfortable with the information that we’ve given them.” It can be daunting to keep up with repairs on any vehicle. With the prices creeping higher and higher and the cars becoming more complex, we appreciate it when our members do their best to ensure your experience is educational AND comfortable.
Ben Bauer, the owner of Enthusiast’s Choice Detail Studio, shared with us that “I first started thinking about starting a business with dry ice cleaning a few years ago after stumbling upon a gentleman doing dry ice cleaning on YouTube. Fast forward to now, that gentleman is one of my mentors who I’ve been fortunate to learn a lot through. However, dry ice couldn’t be the only part of my business though because my other passion, detailing vehicles, paired well with it! Through doing those things, I’m able to work on a large variety of vehicles and I’m able to meet new people within the car community that I’ve been a part of for 25 years now. The detailing that I do is a little bit more in depth, as strange as that sounds. I’m very passionate about what I do and I don’t rush through the process. I go through and use curated products and processes to ensure consistent results.” When you can work within your passions, the results are empowering. Ben has been able to provide detailing services to West Michigan knowing that our communities would benefit from his talents!
Ben felt that “this business was opened as a place for people to feel comfortable with bringing their vehicles.” As the only employee of Enthusiast’s Choice Detail Studio, Ben works hard to ensure that each client’s needs are met. Alongside that, he hopes to bring on new folks who will “go through the same type of training and meet the same criteria that I always try to follow. This business is a place for people to know that their vehicle is going to get a high-end service. It’ll be cared for because I use dry ice as a unique service to clean your vehicles.” Ben’s top priority is ensuring that both the client and vehicle are well taken care of. While he is a small business owner, Ben noted that his educational journey on improving his business is continuous. Ben grew up watching his “grandfather, who was a business leader in Southern Michigan. My grandfather always felt that being involved in the community, helping other businesses, and donating to charity was important. I hope to follow in his footsteps.” Being able to use your business as a space to honor and support the community shows that localism builds communities!
Whether you’re getting that final summer road trip in, preparing to tour the tunnel of trees this fall or simply getting ahead of winter maintenance; choose an indie, local automotive shop. When you keep your money close to home 68% of your dollars stay within the community! Something as routine as your oil change, car detailing and/or repair can help build a vibrant and resilient local community and build relationships with neighborhood owners just like Debbie and Ben!
