PETE’S INDEPENDENT HONDA

Fifteen years ago Ken Peterson heard from his parents that the owners of Pete’s Independent Honda were looking to retire. Peterson, who’d been working at a Honda dealership in Seattle, moved across the state to take over the auto repair shop where his parents had long been customers.

While the original Pete and the current Petersons aren’t related, there’s still a family atmosphere in the shop thanks to Ken and his wife, Charla.

“Our customers are part of our family. We mourn with them, and we celebrate with them, and they do the same with us,” says Charla. “When we married in 2019, a lot of our customers came to the wedding.”

Even the waiting room has a home-like, family feel, far from what you might expect at a typical auto repair shop. A still-functional 1902 Mason & Hamlin organ, passed down from Ken’s great grandparents, sits alongside a couch, coffee table and vintage Coca-Cola branded mini-fridge.

“We sit and talk,” Charla says of their customers. “They come in for an oil change, and they stay for an hour.”

Ken and Charla don’t advertise their shop, but that hasn’t stopped the word from getting out. In 2013, after just five years in Spokane, the Petersons had to move to their larger, current location.

“We outgrew the new location in six months,” Charla says.

Word of mouth and hundreds of five-star reviews have been enough to keep business booming over the years. For Charla, their reputation comes from their honesty. You don’t have to take her word for it, though. From their Google reviews, where they have a 4.9-star rating, “honest” is the most mentioned quality of all.

— WILL MAUPIN

2nd PLACE: Mechanics Pride

3rd PLACE: Vandervert Automotive Services

Best Home Remodeler Strohmaier Construction

Readers are smitten with Strohmaier Construction’s impressive and dramatic transformations, but also with their attention to customer service during a remodel. “These are often really large investments for folks,” Raena Strohmaier told Inlander Health & Home magazine. “We have many who have been saving their entire lives for their one big remodel. So it is stressful.” To help manage that, all clients get a log-in for 24/7 access to information about the project, including daily logs, their project calendar, as well as all documents and pricing. (AM)

2nd PLACE: Berry Built and Design

3rd PLACE: Integrity Remodeling, Inc.

Best Kitchen Store

The Kitchen Engine

Shopping at The Kitchen Engine means a huge assortment of continuously evolving gadgets, knives, dishware and other kitchen essentials, plus expert advice and a store that stands behind its products. Even better, Kitchen Engine classes let you try out that newfangled gadget you’re considering buying. If you haven’t stopped by lately, go check out the shop’s 2022 remodel and expansion, complete with an expanded teaching kitchen, cafe and coffee counter. (CSz)

2nd PLACE: The Culinary Stone, Coeur d’Alene

3rd PLACE: Kitchen Kraft

BEST LOCAL HARDWARE STORE RIVER

Ridge Hardware

“Within walking distance to my house — sends birthday discount coupons!” (Amy B.); “Eager to help, and there is nothing they couldn’t find for me.” (Laura K.); “The helpful staff!” (Cheryl C.)

2nd PLACE: The General Store

3rd PLACE: Miller’s Hardware

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Seright’s Ace Hardware, Post Falls, Rathdrum

BEST LOCAL MORTGAGE COMPANY

First Choice Loan Center

“They are fast, knowledgeable and priced competitively.” (Shaun F.); “I’ve never worked with anyone else who is so on top of their game. Their average clear to close approval times are faster than anyone else. And on top of everything else, they care about the people they serve!” (JW W.)

2nd PLACE: Heritage Home Loans

3rd PLACE: Chimney Rock Mortgage

BEST ROOFING FIRM

GLACIER ROOFING & EXTERIORS

SPOKANE/COEUR D’ALENE

“They took all the stress out of getting a new roof, even down to working directly with my insurance company.” (Donelle S.); “Excellent craftsmanship and advocacy for the customer with insurance companies.” (Margaret H.)

2nd PLACE: Dynasty Roofing

3rd PLACE: Spokane Roofing

BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT SAMARA BEHLER, WINDERMERE VALLEY/ LIBERTY LAKE

Realtor Samara Behler acknowledges the housing market of March 2023 is very different from March 2022. “Every single house requires a different strategy… With interest rates being double what they were a year and a half ago, (buyers) are just demanding a really great product for what they are purchasing,” she says. In the current cooled-down market, she works to educate both buyers and sellers because “people still have to buy and sell, people still have to move.” (AM)

2nd PLACE: Marianne Bornhoft, Windermere Manito

3rd PLACE Ben Olney, Windermere City Group

BEST

Windows Pella Windows And Doors

Cloudy, moisture-filled panes mean your home’s energy efficiency is literally going right out the window. Luckily, readers find that the folks at Pella are ready to help. Whether retrofitting an older residence or ordering beautiful panes for a new home, readers are impressed with Pella. Window frames are offered in three materials — vinyl, fiberglass and wood — and styles abound, including casement, double-hung and sliding as well as custom and specialty shapes. (AM)

2nd PLACE: McVay Brothers

3rd PLACE: Coeur d’Alene Window Co.