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Eighteen years after fulfilling a dream and opening Mike’s Tire, Brake and Muffler, Mike Solomon is stepping away from the business. Well almost.

Stepping in and running the business effective January 1 is Mike’s son, Jamie and Jamie’s wife Stefanie.

Jamie and Stefanie have been together 28 years and consider the opportunity of now working together in the business ‘priceless’.

Both have had more than full time jobs in the past but thought it important to continue the legacy Mike started many years ago.

Jamie started working at a very young age as a busboy, then at a grocery store. In high school he found a passion for auto body and mechanics classes. After graduation, he became a manager at an auto parts store, worked part time at UPS, at his dad’s shop and started detailing cars on the side.

The detailing business grew and Mike saw the passion his son had for detailing. So with ‘an excited heart and much family support’, Solomon’s Clean Dreams Auto Detail became reality for 12 years.

Stefanie knew as a very young girl she wanted to be a Cosmetologist. In high school she started learning her craft. The only thing she desired more than doing hair was to be a wife and mother. She and Jamie married in 2003 and they had daughter, Teisa, in 2004 a son, River, in 2006. Later, Stefanie worked at Dillard’s and she and a coworker opened a salon, Twisted Scissors. For the past 12 years she has worked at The Hair Company where she still works three days a week while helping at Mike’s.

Mike and Stefanie’s six employees provide oil changes, brakes and rotors, alignments, exhaust work plus a wide range of tires and wheels.

When asked what it is like to work with the public all day, Stefanie was quick to respond. “We have always had a heart to serve and to help people. The highlight of our day is meeting and helping people with the hope of making someone’s day brighter.”

Any new plans for the business? “Sometimes things might look a little rough around the edges but you never know what’s on the inside. We are working on sprucing up the place while still leaving that nostalgic feel. We also want to incorporate detailing into the business.”

The Solomons described their biggest challenge as “The pressure of filling Mike’s shoes and the impact Mike has had on the community.”

Speaking of Mike, is he still involved? “Oh yes, he calls us each day to check in on us. He stops by a few times a week to chat it up with customers.”

It is obvious the apple did not fall far from the tree as this next generation at Mike’s is still 100% customer focused.

Mike’s Tire, Brake and Muffler is located at 732 North Jackson Street and can be reached at 455-5150. Hours are 7am to 5pm Monday thru Friday.

Lane Curlee can be reached at 581-0360 or lcurlee@lighttube.net.