By Tim Leeds
Customers at EMT Auto Services will soon have a new service available.
Erik Meis, owner of the shop, is in the process of converting three of the bays to car wash facilities.
Meis said the bays will have a self-serve wash, bubble brushes, tire and engine cleaners, a spot-free rinse, water and wringers for chamois, towels, polish, and other accessories for vehicle cleaning. He said the coin boxes will have countdown timers to let the customers know how much time is left on the service.
He said when done the pad will extend about 75 feet north of the bays, providing parking for about 25 cars. He said this section will have a vacuum area with a carpet shampooer and three vacuums.
While three bays are still open for oil change, brake and muffler work and minor repairs, the three bays being converted are presently under construction.
Meis said making the change is quite a process. He said the bays have to be enlarged and he is having floor heat installed so the facilities can be used longer in the winter.
Meis said Clausen and Sons are doing the construction work, and Holt Plumbing and Heating are installing the plumbing and heating for the washes.
He said the work started on Feb. 29, and he expects it to take about five weeks to finish.
Meis said when he opened EMT Auto Services on July 1, it was a six stall muffler and brake business. He said he decided to add the car wash to diversify the business.
He said once the car wash is open, it will run seven days a week. He said he is considering keeping the service side open as well at that time.
Meis said he has good help in running the business. He said June Pizzini, office manager at EMT, started working in a body shop. He said her job includes as much working on cars doing oil changes, brake work and muffler work as doing paperwork. He said she's taken many responsibilities on on her own. He said she's always finding things to do and ways to help at the business.
Meis said Ben Turner, his mechanic, is also an asset to th e business. He said Turner has been a mechanic in the industry for 30 years, and is invaluable in the operation of the business.
