New Oil Change Service Opens in Deer Park

The former Diversified Lube location in Deer Park was purchased by Valvoline Instant Oil Change at the end of March and quickly reopened under its new name in April. Manager Josh Smith said the location reopened approximately a week-and-a-half after the keys were handed over. While there was painting and some small changes to make, no major remodel was necessary, Smith said. “We had a couple crews come in,” he said. “They were working some pretty long hours.” Valvoline was interested in expanding into the Deer Park area and took the opportunity to purchase Diversified Lube when it became available, Smith said. There was no grand opening ceremony af- ter a quick 10 days of work. Employees just slid up the doors and started doing oil changes, Smith said. “It started out slow,” he said. “It’s definitely started to pick up, though.” Smith was previously the assistant manager at the Wandermere Valvoline location when he was asked if he would like to manage the new location in Deer Park. Smith, who lives in Deer Park, “enthusiastically said ’Yes.’ “I live up here,” he said. “I know the area. It just turned out to be the spot for me.” Smith said he’s been working for Valvoline, which specializes in quick, no-appointment-required oil changes for the last three years. “I’ve been working on cars all my life,” he said. Smith said almost all of his seven employees also live in Deer Park, with the exception of one who lives in Chewelah. Smith said he hopes customers will realize that the location is run by their neighbors and isn’t a corporate spot with no connection to the area. “We’re a lot more local than people think,” he said. Having employees who live in the area was a bonus, Smith said. “We knew we were wanting to move up here,” Smith said. “Deer Park is starting to grow and we want to grow with Deer Park.” Valvoline, located at 103 N. Main Street, is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sun- day. Smith said people can choose between con- ventional oil, a synthetic blend, or fully synthet- ic oil, with oil changes ranging from $55.99 to $104.99 depending on the type of oil selected. The price includes five quarts of oil and a new oil filter. While oil changes are the main business at Valvoline, employees also check the fluid lev- els, lights, tire pressure, windshield wipers, and air filters on each car, Smith said. “We take a peek under the hood and under the chassis,” he said. “Obviously we don’t do big engine re- pairs, we don’t do brakes or anything like that. We just do the quick stuff.” Smith said the shop is beginning to do ad- vertising and hand out coupons. He said people seem willing to stop in and give them a try and he’s looking forward to settling into the commu- nity. “We’re friendly,” he said. “We’re here.”