A local mechanic with 14 years of experience in automotive and custom work has opened his own shop in Jamestown.
Joey McRoberts is the owner of Elite Kustoms & Auto Repair at 302 1st Ave. N in Jamestown. It is at the former location of S&S Exhaust, which moved to 1210 10th St. NE. McRoberts said it was a big transition to open his own business, but it was a natural step for someone who has worked for many automotive-service-related businesses, from retail tire and parts to servicing and as a lead technician for high-performance machine and engine businesses.
“I sold tools and turned wrenches and even had my own bay garage with a lift and tools where I used to do lift kits on the weekend,” McRoberts said. “The idea of owning my own business just escalated from there.”
A Valley City native, McRoberts has five years of automotive schooling. He earned an automotive technician degree from North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton before going on to advanced study in applied automotive science and high-performance machines at Northwest Technical College in Bemidji, Minn.
“As an owner I need to be able to step into the shoes of the people who perform those jobs for me,” McRoberts said. “That is part of the job and it is how I can be a good owner.”
McRoberts and three staff members will handle general automotive services, which include oil and transmission fluid changes, working on cooling systems, tune-ups and fixing belts, hoses, brakes, suspensions and differential and transfer cases. The shop will also install custom lift kits.
“We are the only shop that says, ‘We do lift kits,’ right on our banner,” McRoberts said. “Come in and we can talk about pricing and give a quote, along with recommending rims and tires to go along with a lift kit.”
Even though the shop was previously used for automotive work, McRoberts said there was a great deal of renovation work that was done. He brought in two vehicle hoists, along with tools, workbenches, arch and acetylene welders, grinders and a parts-cleaning tank.
“I have been into cars as a hobby for so long I accumulated a lot of that stuff and it helped not to have to buy so much inventory at the start,” he said. “When you buy tools for 14 years you accumulate a thing or two.”
As for the building, McRoberts said they have already applied 25 gallons of paint to the shop and the front area and still have the exterior to complete when the weather improves.
The business is also a certified Valvoline dealer, he said. Valvoline won’t be the only brand but will be the No. 1 brand, he said.
“That means we get certain promotions that other people don’t have,” he said. “Some companies switch brands but we want to stay consistent.”
There will be a grand opening event in the spring with some food on the grill and race cars on display, McRoberts said.
Elite Kustoms & Auto Repair is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
For more information, call (701) 368-9337 or look for the company name on Facebook.
Tom LaVenture