News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Jenny Helinski, left, and Bill Lancewicz stand next to the sign for their new business, B&S’s Auto Repair, on Friday. The business just received permission from local government to hang the sign in front of the shop.

ALPENA — The owners of B&R’s Auto Repair in Alpena are counting on quality customer service, professional auto repair experience, and a feeling of home in their business to become staples in the Alpena community.

Jenny Helinski and Bill Lancewicz are co-owners of the freshly opened auto shop on Chisholm Street in the building where Muffler Man used to operate.

Helinski said she is excited about the business and the location and believes the service and care they offer customers will push it toward success.

She said the shop handles most types of auto repairs and does so in a timely manner and as affordably as possible.

Helinski said gaining the trust of potential customers in Alpena was a challenge, as managers and staff at the former Muffler Man turned off many people who took their vehicles there and left unhappy.

She said business is beginning to pick up and she hopes the satisfied customers will tell others about the service they received.

“There are people that won’t even walk into this building,” Helinski said. “That is why we are doing everything we can to make the place look nice and provide the best service we can.”

Helinski said there has been an uptick in business and she believes that shows their business plan and the service they offer is making an impact in removing the stigma attached to the building.

“We are starting to see more return customers, so that’s awesome,” she said.

Those who walk into the shop are met at the front desk by Helinski, who assists customers and coordinates scheduling. To the left is a living room that looks and feels like something most people would relax in at home.

Helinski said customers sometimes have to wait hours for their vehicle to be repaired, and she didn’t want a stale and uncomfortable waiting room, but something with an atmosphere that people could enjoy, especially women.

“You may not know this, but women seem to be the ones that are always taking the car to the repair shop and having to wait,” she said. “I want to have a place where the women — and guys — could go and just chill while they wait. We didn’t want something that stressed people out or made them uncomfortable.”

B&R’s Auto Repair is open 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. People who want to give their service a chance can stop in and schedule an appointment or call 989-590-7945.