JeremyHarmer’sdream is

coming true.The 26-year-old local

resident has dreamedof owning his ownautomotive serviceshop for the past 10years. After about ayear of preparation,Harmer and his familycame together to openJNP Motorsports inAustin in March.

“I’ve been in theprocess of trying to getgoing for quite a whilehere,” Harmer said.

He has loved work-ing on cars practicallyall his life, and hastried for quite sometime to get his ownshop. Things started tofall into place last year,as he saved enoughmoney and bought theold Penske shop spaceon the west side of theold Kmart building latelast year.

Harmer still remem-bers coming into thePenske space on theThursday beforeChristmas. It hadn’tbeen used for anythingother than storage inabout 10 years, andtook a while to cleanup, according toHarmer. Yet Harmer,his younger brother,Patrick, his mother,Jan, and his sister,Nicole, transformed thespace from dank closetto professional shop,complete with six bays.

Jeremy and Patrickare two of JNP’s fivemechanics, while Janand Nicole take care ofadministrative duties.Though Jeremy hasbeen a mechanic atother places, he enjoysowning his own shop.

“I personally thinkit’s better,” he said.“It’s a lot of work, butwe get more satisfac-tion out of it, I think.”

JNP has been openfor more than a monthand is already gettingsteady work onEuropean cars, thoughJeremy says the shopcan do anything andeverything from oilchanges to enginerepairs. The Harmersare still working on afew things before hold-ing a grand opening,which includes the new

tire changer and rebal-ance machines theyhad installed Tuesday.

Business is sure topick up in the next cou-ple months, as Jeremysaid winter and sum-mer are the peak timesfor cars to fall into dis-repair. Jeremy said res-idents usually bring incars for air condition-ing issues in the sum-mer, but people can pre-vent car issues by get-ting their oil changedand tires checked inthe spring, as well as apreventative tune-upwhen necessary.

For Jeremy, JNPMotorsports is a dreamcome true.

“It was the righttime,” he said.

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2012

Complete Tire & Alignment ServicesBFGoodrich • Michelin • Continental • Kuhmo • Toyo • Uniroyal

Preventive MaintenanceOil Changes • Batteries • Filters • Fluid Exchange • Fuel System Cleaning • Original Scheduled Maintenance

Repair ServicesA/C System • Belts & Hoses • Brake Service • Diagnostics • Shocks & Struts • Steering • Suspension

Special ServicesComplete Foreign & Domestic Repair • Specializing in Honda & Acura • Engine and Transmission Repair

HANSON TIRE SERVICE1200 N. Main St. Austin, MN • 507-433-3419

FRONT ENDALIGNMENT

$6995Not valid with any other offer.Most vehicles. Expires 4/30/12

• AdjustToe In• AdjustCaster &Camberwhereadjustable

STEERINGWHEEL SHAKING?

$3995Not valid with any other offer.Most vehicles. Expires 4/30/12

• TireRotation& Balance• SuspensionInspection

OIL CHANGE PLUS

$3695Tire rotation at timeof service. Shop sup-plies and environ-ment fee extra.

• Oil & Filter Change(Up to 5 quarts of conventional oil)• Rotate & Inspect 4 Tires• Courtesy check including visualbrake check(battery, air filter, fluid, belts & hoses)

Not valid with any other offer.Most vehicles. Expires 4/30/12

433-2309• Foreign & Domestic Cars

• Complete paint mixing facilities• Insurance Repair Specialists

• Computerized Frame Measure System

FREEESTIMATES

1107 5th Place SEAustin, MN

CALL

A dreamcome true

Story by Trey Mewes •trey.mewes@austindailyherald.com

Above: JNP Motorsportsis a six-bay automotiveservice shop with fivemechanics on hand.Left: Jeremy Harmer isthe co-owner of JNPMotorsports, a new auto-motive service shop inAustin. Harmer is one offive mechanics at theshop.Matt Peterson/

matt.peterson@

austindailyherald.com

26-year-oldopens repair shop