Performance Auto, Havorka Motors Change Locations

Sometimes one never quite knows where life will lead us. Sometimes, it takes us to the past, with the tools of the present.

The northwest corner of 12th Avenue and Illinois Street had been quiet for several years. The once busy corner of engine analyses and wrench-turning became something of a warehouse, one more location to store massive rolls of paper for the next press run. Those days have come and gone, and come again with Brad Zalesky and Performance Auto returning to the north facing garage bay that he occupied years earlier. The walls are decorated with the many tools, parts and fluids necessary to be an effective auto repair shop, and it has a bit of history.

To the right of the door as a customer enters is framed evidence of his return. Twenty years ago, a ribbon cutting was held at Zalesky's new shop, 811 12th Avenue.

Zalesky says his return is a good move.

“I love it,” he says. “It brings back so many memories.”

Zalesky has a long history in the mechanical repair industry, officially starting in 1981 when he repaired bicycles in part of his brother's business. He says “turning wrenches” is in his family history, from stock car racing to automotive repair.

Performance Auto rehung their sign at the 12th Avenue location on Nov. 1.

This move was motivated by the sale of his previous location at 13th Avenue and Illinois Street. The move included updating the previous shop turned warehouse back to a fully functioning service shop. The bays were cleaned and walls painted, office area updated and tools and equipment moved to the north side of the building.

Along the way, he talked with Havorka Motors about their location. Havorka Motors moved to the 600 block of 10th Avenue, north of Hickory Street. The 12th Avenue and Illinois Street location has been purchased by Spring Creek Cleaning, owned by Megan and Montana DeNardo. The DeNardos closed on the 12th Avenue and Illinois Street property on Nov. 18 and are in the process of readying the new location for business.

Spring Creek Cleaning promotes itself as offering 15 years of experience in services including janitorial services, carpet cleaning, water restoration, window cleaning, pet odor and urine removal, new construction cleaning, move-in/move-out cleaning and complete floor care.