7 minute read
Ribbon Cuttings
Above All Cleaning Services’ Jamie Runco-Drechsel (holding scissors) seen surrounded by friends, family, and community members at her ribbon cutting at the Fortuna Chamber Office.
Above All Cleaning Services is owned and operated by Jamie Runco-Drechsel. Jamie was raised outside of Humboldt County but now makes her home off Highway 36 with her husband, Justin, and their 7-year-old son, Bode. Justin works for Redwood Empire Roofing and Bode will be attending the second grade at Hydesville School in the fall. Jamie previously worked for Hydesville School, but when Covid-19 struck, her position was eliminated. Around the same time, her church, Hydesville Community Church, was in need of a janitor. That opportunity was the catalyst to starting her own cleaning business. Above All Cleaning Services is a company that cleans residential, office, and commercial spaces, plus post-construction clean up, event clean up, power washing services, window and gutter cleaning, and housekeeping services for vacation rentals. “We don’t cut corners. We clean ’em,” is Jamie’s slogan. No job is too small or too large and they travel from McKinleyville to Benbow and everywhere in between. Call them today and get that “dream clean” you’ve been looking for!
Above All Cleaning Services can be reached online at https://www. aboveallcleaning.net or by calling (707) 617-0904.
Mike’s Brake and Front End opened its doors in June, with a goal of groundbreaking customer service and providing the best services possible in Humboldt County. They want to be the gold standard; creating a space where people can trust their services and expertise all while being assured that with their diligence, you’ll be treated like family. Owner Mike Turner has been involved in the automotive industry since 1994. With a great team by his side, Mike’s Brake and Front End is here to serve the community with the best quality services available including oil changes, brakes, suspension and steering, tune-ups, headlight polish, minor engine repair, and drive train repair. With a location right next to Paul’s Live From New York, they are
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able to offer a special deal - get your car serviced and receive a $5.00 coupon off your lunch next door while you wait. Mike’s Brake and Front End is located at 103 12th Street and can be reached at (707) 617-2004.
Looking for something different for your truck and auto care needs? Well, look no more as Powerhouse Garage is now open for business in Fortuna and they’re looking to smash the automotive industry stereotypes. Powerhouse Garage opened May 1st in the former Murray Motors building at 459 S. Fortuna Blvd and is easy to find across from Westside Pizza on the Boulevard. This family owned and operated shop represents a clean, state of the art, professional, family oriented, and hands on approach to meeting your truck and auto care needs.
Powerhouse Garage is owned by Loren & Becky Skavdal, with Loren running the shop and Becky managing the office. Loren and Becky have a long family history in Humboldt County with their two children representing the seventh generation here. Loren first learned about customer service from his grandparents Ellis & Genevieve Hemenway while helping to crack crab at Botchie’s Crab Stand in Fields Landing. His easy going and detailed explanation of his approach to your vehicle’s care and repair needs likely started by listening to his Grandpa engage with his customers waiting in the long line for crab.
Loren’s experience is deep and wide ranging and while his focus is on Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Cummins, and Jeep products, his capabilities don’t stop there. With experience in fabrication shops, aftermarket accessory shops, import and domestic, a wide variety of projects reflecting that experience can be seen in the parking lot at any time. Since opening in May, he has been busy on trucks of all makes (diesel and gas), a range of automobiles, and even several classics. The high-tech office keeps track of your vehicle needs, keeps you informed of appointments, status and progress via text, and links to all local supply houses for rapid parts delivery and quick price comparisons.
Loren attended Humboldt State university and played soccer for the Lumberjacks, which is where he met his future wife Becky who was playing for the women’s team at San Francisco State. Loren left Humboldt to go to Wyotech in Sacramento for his automotive degree. He gained experience working in multiple private shops in Sonoma County including Nisstech (Santa Rosa) and Finchers (Healdsburg) before returning to Humboldt County eight years ago. He joined Lithia Motors, working his way up to Chrysler Master Mechanic status within three years, positioning him as the lead mechanic and foreman.
Becky graduated from San Francisco State, working her way through college as a Store Manager for American Eagle in San Francisco and later in Santa Rosa. After moving to Humboldt County with Loren she was Assistant Store Manager for Pacific Outfitters in Eureka, a perfect fit for Loren and Becky’s lifestyle of all things outdoors in Humboldt. Most recently Becky was at home managing the active household with their two children (a daughter, 6, and a son, 4). Becky says she is excited to be back in the office having adult conversations! Her good nature and enthusiasm for the business and customers comes through in every interaction.
The Skavdals are Fortuna residents, their children go to school here, and are playing on local sports teams. As a new business, Loren and Becky plan to be engaged in the local community for years to come. Expect to see Loren and Becky and Powerhouse Garage engaged across the community over time. They are very excited to be here. Have a question, or a repair need, or just want to stop by and check out the shop? You are welcome anytime at Powerhouse! Visit them at 459 S. Fortuna Blvd. They can be reached at (707) 682-6198.
Powerhouse Garage
In July 2022, Harry Hardin and partner Shannon Burns opened the doors of White Circle Commerce, LLC., located at 591 Main Street, Suite D. They provide services such as vehicle registrations (personal and commercial) for cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, and diesel/ trailers as well as vin verification, title transfers, junk slips, and salvage titles. Save yourself time by not standing in line at the DMV! They will also be a payment center for paying your utility bills, process wire transfers, provide notary services, as well as commercial and residential property management services. Small bookkeeping services will soon be available.
Many will recognize the name Harry Hardin. Harry has been a local business owner (and longtime Chamber supporter and recipient of the Chamber’s 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award) for more than 30 years providing many vital services to Humboldt County. He owned and operated a refuse and transfer station called Eel River Disposal for many years before selling it to Recology. He then moved on to open Eel River Transportation and Salvage, a metal scrap yard/recycling company receiving cars, motor homes, trailers, and construction and demolition debris.
Shannon Burns moved to Humboldt County a year ago from Ventura County in Southern California to work with Harry at Eel River Transportation and Salvage. Her background is in project management and administration. She previously worked for a
White Circle Commerce, LLC. workers’ compensation underwriting company, a team of executives, and an IT team to be the first company to enable companies to bind a workers’ comp policy under $25,000 online. Unfortunately, after 9/11, they closed due to the structure of insurance changing so dramatically after the tragedy. She next went on to work for Amgen, a pharmaceutical company, managing multiple onsite projects that included moving laboratories and departments of upwards of 100-300 people to different locations on the campus. When asked what her favorite thing about living here is, she replied, “I have to say that the area is absolutely gorgeous and I love the small town feel where everyone knows each other and seems to really enjoy living life, unlike the fast paced way of Southern California.” You can reach White Circle Commerce at (707) 726-8500 or by email at shannonwhitecircle@gmail. com.
Since 1931
(707) 725-3316 info@harbersins.com 210 12th St. Fortuna CA 95540
The store that still measures your feet
FAMILY SHOES & REPAIR
New Balance
• Men’s and Women’s • When it comes to • When it comes to running, New Balance is running, New Balance is the performance expert. the performance expert.
Available at Strehl’s
Open Tue-Fri 10am-6pm Sat 9am-5pm
