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By SUE RYAN
News staff writer
August 2,
2006
River’s Edge Towing has changed its name and location as the
family-owned enterprise moved recently into a new building on
Tucker Road.
The name change to River’s Edge Automotive does not mean the
company will stop towing but rather emphasizes their investment
in expanding the automotive repair end of their business.
“We just didn’t have room for growth and we’ve been looking for
a place to expand for years,” said Jason Shaner, president of
Shaner Enterprises, Inc.
They bought an acre lot at 1100 Tucker Road and built a
5,200-square-foot shop and 800-square-foot office. While
construction crews were busy last week finishing countertops in
the front office, the business is going full-time in its new
space with mechanics working on brakes and other repairs in the
double space four-bay shop.
The new shop more than quadruples the space at the company’s old
location on Country Club Road, where it had a two-bay shop and
offices totaling 1,100 square feet. River’s Edge has also
consolidated its impound lot at one location on the rest of the
acreage.
The capacity is larger, too, as the new digs contain two
RV-sized bays that are 12 feet wide, 14 feet high and 50 feet
long.
The Shaner family business began in Hood River County as a
one-man towing business operated by Jason’s father, Robert.
Jason’s brother, Kevin, started running the business in 1986 and
Jason has been in charge since January 1997.
Robert still drives tow trucks for the business, but Jason
oversees the entire operation. That one-man staff has grown to
include 12 drivers and mechanics who support the 24-hour,
seven-day-a-week coverage River’s Edge provides this area.
“We are the only AAA provider in the county,” Jason said.
He mentioned that status has brought them plenty of vacationers
whose vehicles have broken down during their visits to the area.
The customers kept asking where they could get their cars fixed
right away. Jason said the increase in demand, especially after
hours and on weekends, is part of what drove Shaner Enterprises
to make the investment in its new building.
“Of course we will tow our customers wherever they want to go,”
he said. “But with us, if your car breaks down you only have to
call one place.”
The business works on both foreign and domestic models,
providing major repairs and electrical work. The RV bays
accommodate most large-size models up to 40 feet long.
The Shaners chose to bring the accommodations for a repair shop
up a notch with their design. Jason said they wanted customers
to feel comfortable while waiting for their vehicle, which is
why the company included a spacious waiting area up front along
with a customer bathroom separate from the mechanics’
facilities.
“We set out to raise the bar for independent repair shops in
Hood River,” Jason said.
For more information on River’s Edge Automotive, contact them at
386-6944. |
