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 The new businesses are located at 103 S. Logan.
Between the two, their services offer a complete one-stop location
for vehicle repair and maintenance.
Tinaja is owned by Jose Vega and will feature tire sales complete
with mounting and balancing, as well as vehicle repair. J & M Car
Care is John Lucio and Macy Hawkins and will offer complete care
detailing services.
On Wednesday a small crowd gathered for the mid-day ribbon cut
including Alderman Ron Keller and City Clerk Peggy Bateman
representing the city of Lincoln. Also on hand was the recently
crowned Miss Logan County Fair Queen Skye Kretzinger. Morgan Gleason
and Kaylee Kirby were on hand representing the Logan County Tourism
Bureau.
Vega was joined by his family. His son Jose Jr. joined Vega and
Lucio with the scissors, while wife Nora and son Jesus stood to the
side with Vega’s niece Fernanda.
Others who stood off to the side to watch the cutting were Bethany
Rademaker, who was there with Queen Skye, Lucio’s partner Macy and
his good friend Brandon Becker. Lucio and Becker work together in
the landscaping and lawn care business.
The day began with welcoming remarks from emcee Nila Smith followed
by comments from Vega, Lucio and Keller representing Mayor Seth
Goodman who was unable to attend.
Smith noted that Vega had opened his business earlier this spring
and was working to grow it already. Since the first interview with
Vega and Lucio, Vega has taken steps to now offer new tires in
addition to good used. He said that he is now set up to offer most
large name brands such as Bridgestone and Goodyear.
It was noted that the business that is located on one of the city’s
busiest streets has also been made better with Vega and Lucio’s
arrival. The two, with help from Jose Jr. and Macy have worked to
add fresh paint to the building and get the parking area cleaned up.
Vega and Lucio formed their business relationship more or less by
accident. Lucio had stopped in one day to speak with Vega about
tires for his personal vehicle. The conversation evolved into Lucio
sharing his knowledge and experience about detail work with Vega.
Vega then offered Lucio an opportunity to share space in the garage.
The two are now working together to build a strong business that
will last.
Lucio when called on to speak noted the relationship with Vega and
said that he saw Vega as someone who was fair and honest and would
not take advantage of his customers. He has a fair and reasonable
pricing structure that will make him competitive with other similar
businesses in the community. He thanked the
community for making them feel welcome and Vega for recognizing the
value of the partnership.
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Vega also spoke saying he was happy to be in the community and
hopeful that he would have the opportunity to serve the needs of the
folks in Lincoln and Logan County.
Keller said that he had enjoyed meeting Vega and
Lucio and learning about what they will be bringing to the city. He
said that the goods and services that the two will be providing are
needed and he is hopeful that folks will consider Tinaja and J & M
when looking for mechanical services, tires or detailing.
Keller also noted that opening a new business is a tough challenge
and that for that business to succeed, it needs the support of the
community. He hopes that everyone will take that to heart and
remember to support those who are working to keep our community
thriving.
Right before the ribbon was cut Jose Jr. was asked if he wanted to
say a few words. The young man is on summer break from school and
has been at the shop quite a bit helping his dad and Lucio with the
clean-up work around the lot and building. He said that he had
enjoyed being here this summer and would miss it when he had to go
back to school in a few weeks.
With speeches concluded Vega and Lucio manned the
large scissor and posed for a picture. Afterward, the group helped
out with the countdown and at the three-two-one-snip, Vega and Lucio
cut the ribbon on their new business.
After the cut, grilled hot dogs and chips were set out for the
guests. Everyone stayed for a dog and a chance to visit with Vega
and Lucio.
While visiting afterward with Vega noted that business had started
off slow when he opened in June, but he is seeing a good deal of
increase. Lucio had noted earlier that they were rushed just a bit
to get ready for the ribbon cut because they had three new customers
pull in the drive on Wednesday morning and of course, serving the
customers had to take top priority.
Tinaja will be open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On Saturday’s the shop will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Those looking for tires, auto repair, or detailing services can stop
by the shop or call 217-735-1150.
[Nila Smith] |
