T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY Mason’s Automotive Owner Chris Mason works on a vehicle inside his new shop located at 1108 N. 3rd Ave. on Monday.

A new auto and tire repair shop is serving Marshalltown customers as Mason’s Automotive has opened at 1108 N. 3rd Ave. near the Iowa River Bridge and the northern city limits.

Owner/Operator Chris Mason is a lifelong Marshalltown area resident who worked at Mick’s Automotive in Le Grand for 17 years before owner Mick Bryant retired. Mason knew Denny Arifi, who owns the building where his shop is now located and had previously used it as a shop of his own, and they were able to strike a deal.

“Basically, (Arifi) was retired. He wasn’t doing anything, so he let me set up shop in here,” Mason said.

Mason’s Automotive formally opened about four months ago, and although the owner has plenty of experience in the industry, he said running the business himself definitely took some getting used to.

“There’s definitely a big difference like, you know, the bills. You’ve gotta pay all the bills, so there’s a lot more to it. A lot more responsibility, a lot more paperwork, but it’s nothing I can’t handle,” Mason said.

He added that it was a bit of a struggle to find the right space, but he’s happy to have landed where he is today. Mason operates a full service automotive shop and repairs tires while working on getting licensed to sell them, too — a lot of things are still in progress, he said.

“I pretty much cover it all. I won’t rebuild anything. I won’t tear nothing down and rebuild. I don’t have the time for that, but from services to engine swaps and chain swaps, I’ll do it all,” he said. “I’ve got plenty of room.”

Right now, Mason is the lone full-time employee, but he is getting some occasional help from his son and brother-in-law. Mason’s Automotive can be reached at 641-758-9761.

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Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.