On this episode of Take Five with Tracie I sat down with Grayson Gerloff, the general manager of Kenneth's Car Care, to learn how a nearly 50-year-old, locally owned auto shop stays relevant, serves its community, and puts people first. In five minutes we covered what they do, where they are, how they communicate with customers, and why giving back matters to the business.

Kenneth's Car Care at a glance

Kenneth's Car Care is approaching its 50th year serving our community. As general manager, Grayson runs day-to-day operations across both mechanical and body shop divisions.

Services include:

• Collision repair, paint and body
• General mechanical work and routine maintenance
• Engine repairs and engine rebuilds
• Coordination with outside specialists for any work they don't perform in-house

A shop that's bigger than it looks

Kenneth's sits off Northpark and — although it might be easy to miss from the road — the facility opens up once you drive in. Grayson explained that being tucked back from the road gives them the space they need to handle a wide range of work and expand capacity.

Putting people before cars

What sets Kenneth's Car Care apart, Grayson told me, is a people-first approach. As he put it, they focus on “the person driving the car, not the car itself.” That philosophy guides how they communicate recommendations, document repairs, and build trust.

Practical examples of that approach:

• Photos of vehicle issues are taken and shared so customers can see exactly what technicians see.
• Clear explanations, not shop jargon, so vehicle owners understand recommended work.
• Text reminders for maintenance so customers don’t wait until a dashboard light forces their hand.

Staying current with technology

Grayson emphasized the importance of keeping up with evolving tech to improve customer experience. Their communication tools, reminders, and documentation help the shop remain transparent and dependable. That ongoing focus on service and systems has driven measurable results: when Grayson arrived five years ago the shop had about 160 Google reviews; today they're near 720 with a 4.8-star rating.

Community-first business practices

Giving back is central to Kenneth's Car Care because, as Grayson said, “without our community, we don't exist.” The shop actively participates in local chambers and partners with other small businesses — whether they need an electrician, a roofer, or local suppliers — to keep services local and strengthen the neighborhood economy.

That community focus influences how the shop operates: independent ownership, local sponsorships, and a desire to be part of the solution for the region’s small-business ecosystem.

Final thoughts

Kenneth's Car Care is a great example of a long-standing local business that combines technical expertise with strong customer communication and community engagement. If you want reliable service from a shop that puts people first — and keeps you informed every step of the way — Grayson and his team are worth a visit.

Special thanks to Community Impact for making this episode possible. If you haven’t already, sign up for their morning newsletter at communityimpact.com. And be sure to follow the Greater EMC Chamber on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay connected.

I'm Tracie Kamenoff, connecting you to the hub of opportunity. Until next time, keep adding value and making a difference.