Whitefish Pilot – Best Auto Service

The following is an article written for the Whitefish Pilot.
Whitefish Best of Reggie's Quick Lube

Since opening its doors almost five years ago, Reggie’s Quick Lube has aimed to set itself apart.

The goal from the beginning has been a quick lube shop based on building trust with customers, so they will return the next time their car needs service. The shop offers oil changes and other vehicle maintenance services.

“It’s our mission statement to do a good job and take care of the customer over money,” says owner Josh Smith.

Smith drew on inspiration from his granddad, who was a mechanic, when looking to run a shop that put great service above all else.

“He always said it’s about doing quality workmanship at a fair price,” Smith said. “You take care of the customer.”

Reggie’s — which is named after Smith’s bird dog — is on Spokane Avenue. The shop was selected as Best Auto Service in this year’s Best of Whitefish.

“I’m excited,” Smith says of winning. “Thank you to all of our customers.”

And though he says the shop doesn’t campaign for votes, it does watch the results of the annual contest because Reggie’s wants to make sure it’s doing a great job.

Not a mechanic himself, Smith relies on a strong crew of employees that he says are the reason the shop has been successful.

“Dave Knudsen has been here since we started and Gary Bell has been here almost as long, and Mike Burghduff,” Smith said. “There is no way we would have achieved the Best of Whitefish award without those guys.”

The goal from the beginning has been to build up trust in his customers.

He says some shops might suggest a vehicle needs a new air filter every time you’re in for an oil change.

“We want you to know that we won’t ask you for that all the time and when we say you need it, you really do,” he says. “We’re not here to try to take money out of your pocket.”

— Heidi Desch