HONEST AUTO NEW SHOP PLANS WEEKEND GRAND OPENING IN PALMDALE.

Byline: Daily News

PALMDALE - A new auto repair shop celebrates its grand opening Saturday and Sunday.

Honest Auto Shop's grand opening will offer free hot dogs and sodas, while the first 50 customers who get their cars serviced will receive a free carwash by Antelope Valley Boys & Girls Club members.

Free door prizes and gifts will be raffled off.

Owner Terry Etzler said he has 24 years experience in auto repair. He began tinkering with cars at 12, and made it a career beginning at 19.

A brief sojourn as owner of a shop in Tulare in 1987 ended after a divorce. Then, until recently, he was content to work for someone else, but the recent downturn in the stock market changed his mind.

``My investments in the stock market took a dive like everybody else's. I thought I would open a shop in the town I live in and do a little better than my mutual funds,'' laughed Etzler.

The shop will provide all light mechanical repairs, specializing in computer control and fuel systems, Etzler said. Etzler has three full-time employees and is looking to hire two more automotive technicians.

One of the employees is Etzler's wife of 10 months, Debbie, who will keep the books and manage the office.

The grand opening celebration will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m to 2 p.m. Sunday at the shop, 38446 Eighth St. E., north of Palmdale Boulevard.

Normal business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

(color) Terry Etzler plans a grand opening for Honest Auto Shop.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer