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Long time business Bear Auto now under new
ownership |
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July 15, 2015 |
by McKenzie MacDonald
Located just at the top of the North Hill, Bear
Auto has been in operation locally for the last
thirty years. However, as of January 1, 2015,
the business is under new ownership. After the
previous owners Fred and Alice Hendrickson
decided to retire, Keith and Jessica Fairchild
took over the business.
Mr. Fairchild is ASE (Automotive Service
Excellence) certified in all areas and has a lot
of mechanical experience. He worked at Bear for
ten years under the previous owners, but then
took a job as a mechanic for the City of Bonners
Ferry in 2000 where he stayed until 2014. He is
very excited to finally have the opportunity to
work in his own business. “Having worked for
Fred prior and then given the opportunity to
take over the business later in my life was a
privilege” he said. “I couldn't pass up the
opportunity to be in business for myself.” The
fact that Bear Auto was a local business made
this opportunity even better. “We wanted to be
able to keep a locally established business
open.”
(Story continues below this photo)
When asked what services are offered at Bear
Auto, he listed off a multitude. “We offer
everything from oil changes, tune ups,
recharging and repair of a/c, brakes,
suspension, transmission and engine
replacements, solving wiring issues.”
With all of these different services to take
into account, no day is exactly the same. For
Mr. Fairchild, the best part of working in his
new capacity is “being able to take on projects
that include anything from hotrods to tune-ups.
Every day is different.”
While changes in management can often be
difficult, Bear Auto has had no problem keeping
its customer base. “Customers have been
receptive to the change of ownership,” he said,
“and business has been steady.”
Mr. Fairchild indicates he is enjoying his line
of work. “Mechanic'ing is a specialty!” he said,
and that specialty will help many in the
community keep their cars running for years to
come.
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