With all the car shows going on in August, literally everywhere, my mind started seeking articles on car shops. There are quite a few places in Wanamingo alone that deal with different aspects of car care. Today’s story focuses on Revland Alignment, located at 641 Main Street.
I met with Mark and Ruth to see what they have to offer. There are many services they offer besides wheel alignments. Along with wheel alignments on passenger vehicles like our cars and trucks, they also service large farm trucks and even semi's. Other offerings are tires, brakes, shocks and oil changes. They do not do engine repair, however.
Mark and Ruth met in 1984 at a dance in Cannon Falls. They now have 4 sons, Justin, Jason, Josh and Jesse. Jamie is their daughter in law, and they are also blessed with 5 grandchildren, one great granddaughter, and another great grand on the way. Josh works at the shop with 2 other full-time employees, Greg Poncelet and Dylan Johnson. Ruth is the financial secretary, so it is a real "family" business. Until recently, Mark was also a volunteer firefighter, retiring after 40 years of service.
As to how he got into the business, Mark's dad Les was the one who showed Mark the ropes. Les had worked for Haller Chevrolet doing front end alignments for many years, and wanted to help Mark build his future, so in 1981, they built the current shop after renting space from Maynard Romness for a time. Mark had gone to school for bodywork, and bought cars at auction and fixed them up and sold them, but Les convinced him to go back to school for front end work, too.
I asked Mark what he considered to be the most important aspect of car care, and he said having good tires, especially with winter right around the corner. Watch for his ads in the Messenger for the next tire sale!
When asked about the most important part of doing business in Wanamingo, he quoted his father. "Wanamingo is a small town. You have to do your best work to keep your customers coming back," said Les. And they do come back! Revland services vehicles in a 60 mile radius, and have many referrals from satisfied customers like Dave Stafford from Pine Island. "Mark is the first person who comes to mind for front end work. He has never failed me. I fully endorse him."
So if you need any front end work done, or are in the market for some new tires for safe winter driving, stop into the shop, or call them at (507) 824-2710, and tell them Cheri sent you!
