RepairPal Certified Shop, 59 Auto Repair, led by Linda Brauer, has built a reputation in Plainfield, IL, as a trusted, family-owned repair shop that provides honest and reliable service. From her early days of tinkering with her parents’ vehicles to owning her own shop, Linda’s journey into the automotive industry has been fueled by passion, precision, and a dedication to her customers. At 59 Auto Repair, fair pricing, quality service, and a strong commitment to community involvement make this shop a place people love to bring their cars—and where employees love to work.
1. How did you get into the automotive industry?
“I have always been interested in cars. From the time I was young, I loved taking things apart and putting them back together. As I got older, I started tinkering with my parents’ vehicles. Eventually, I decided this is what I wanted to do for a living, and the rest is history. I worked for a few other shops as I learned the trade before eventually opening my own shop.”
Linda’s hands-on curiosity and love for problem-solving led her to a career in auto repair. After gaining experience working at other shops, she took the leap to start her own business, bringing high-quality, honest service to the Plainfield community.
2. What do you want your shop to be known for?
“I want my shop to be known for honest and reliable service. We believe both our customers and our employees should be happy and receive the best. We are a family-owned shop and see many of our customers around town. We want to be a place people love to take their car and a place people are proud to work for.”
At 59 Auto Repair, Linda and her team focus on building trust with customers and creating a positive workplace for employees. Their shop is a staple in the community, providing quality repairs while making customers feel comfortable and valued.
3. How do you differentiate your shop from other repair facilities?
“We offer great service at fair prices. We are family-owned and treat every customer fairly. We have loaner vehicles, offer a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty, and offer courtesy rides home, as well as overnight pick-up and drop-off options. Many people can fix your vehicle, but not everyone can provide the level of service people have come to expect at our shop.”
59 Auto Repair stands out by going the extra mile for its customers. Whether it’s loaner cars, extended warranties, or convenient drop-off options, the shop prioritizes making auto repair as stress-free as possible.
4. Is your shop involved in the local community or auto community?
“Yes, we are part of the Lion’s Club. We also host Socktober, where we collect socks for the winter for a local charity called RichEnDeed. We work with Guardian Angels to provide Christmas presents for those in need. We collect food donations year-round for Plainfield Interfaith Food Pantry. We provide gift basket donations for local community events. We love to be a part of our community and give back in any way possible.”
Linda and her team are dedicated to giving back. Through charity events, food drives, and community partnerships, 59 Auto Repair is more than just a business—it’s a pillar of support in Plainfield.
5. What strategies have you found most effective for retaining customers?
“Providing great service is one of the best ways to retain customers. Everything cannot always go perfectly, but it is how you react to a situation that makes or breaks the experience. People want to know that you care about them and will take good care of their cars.”
Linda believes that honesty and accountability keep customers coming back. No shop is perfect, but how issues are handled makes all the difference. At 59 Auto Repair, customers know that their vehicles—and their trust—are in good hands.
6. What tools or software do you rely on to manage your shop’s operations efficiently?
“We use Napatracs as our main point of sale and Autovitals as our DVI. We have Alldata, as well as Mitchell and Identifix, for our technicians and service advisors to use as tools.”
By using advanced software like Napatracs, Autovitals, Alldata, Mitchell, and Identifix, 59 Auto Repair ensures accurate diagnostics, smooth shop management, and efficient customer communication.
7. Can you share a success story where your shop went above and beyond for a customer?
“I always think the small things leave the biggest impression. Our technicians take pride in their work and believe they should give the customer back their vehicle in better shape than they got it. One example is our technician saw a customer’s license plate was bent and sticking out. The technician, without saying anything, took it off, straightened it, and put it back. The customer was incredibly impressed with such a small gesture.
It is hard to pick one instance because our shop strives to go above and beyond for every customer that comes through our door. We will pick up and drop off a vehicle at a customer’s house if they cannot make it in. We try to do everything we can to get the customer the best price using the best quality parts.”
At 59 Auto Repair, attention to detail and going above and beyond are part of the daily routine. Whether it’s fixing a minor cosmetic issue or arranging pickup and drop-off for a customer, Linda’s team is always looking for ways to exceed expectations.
8. In what ways do you encourage feedback from employees on improving customer satisfaction and workplace morale?
“We meet with every employee every Thursday for a 1-on-1 meeting where we encourage employees to bring any concerns to us. We always start our meetings with one good thing the employee did, one good thing the employee saw around the shop, and end with questions, comments, concerns. The hope is to create a space where employees can bring ideas and concerns to help the shop improve.”
Linda fosters a positive work environment by giving employees a voice. Regular meetings ensure that team members feel valued, leading to better service for customers.
9. What is your proudest achievement as an auto shop owner?
“Winning the Napa Auto Care Center of the Year in 2021. We were chosen from over 17,000 repair shops across the nation from an independent review board. It was an incredible honor to be chosen and showed that we were doing something right.”
Being recognized as Napa Auto Care Center of the Year is a huge achievement—one that proves 59 Auto Repair is truly one of the best in the nation.
10. What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the auto repair business?
“Find a 20 group to lean on. We have our 20 group through ATI, and they are a game-changer. It is essential to have support, especially when you are just starting out.
Training is essential. Grab every opportunity you can to get more training.”
Linda’s advice? Never stop learning and build a strong network. Support and knowledge-sharing are keys to long-term success in the industry.
11. Where do you see the automotive industry heading in the next five years, particularly concerning the ability to retain customers?
“As technology evolves, customers need to visit a repair shop less and less. But with more technology comes more components to break.
Retaining customers means providing great service every visit. If you can be their go-to shop for any repair, they’ll always rely on you.”
Linda predicts that technology will change the industry, but great service will always be the foundation of customer retention.
Honest Service, Strong Community, and Quality Repairs
At 59 Auto Repair, Linda Brauer and her team deliver top-tier auto repair with a focus on trust, service, and community involvement. Whether it’s a minor repair or a major fix, customers know they can count on RepairPal Certified Shop 59 Auto Repair in Plainfield, IL for reliable, expert service.
