REXBURG — Oswald Service and Repair is expanding from its Idaho Falls location to Rexburg.

The auto repair business will be opening next month at its new location on 2nd East next to Pro Rental and Sales. Renae Oswald, a member of the Oswald family and an owner of the company, spoke with the Standard Journal about the decision to open up an Upper Valley location.

“We have been looking at Rexburg for three years for expanding,” she said. “We purchased that lot a little over a year ago.”

Renae Oswald said they had looked at several places to build in Rexburg, but some parts of town weren’t a good fit.

“Property on the north end of town is a completely different price than the southern end of town,” she said. “We feel like we’re out in the boonies a little bit, but we’re taking a leap of faith that more will grow up around us.”

The new business will add six jobs initially, but plans for growth are always inevitable, Renae Oslwald said.

“We’ve hired local automotive talent,” she said, adding that several of the recently-hired mechanics were previously from well-known Rexburg automotive businesses.

Rexburg is home to more than half a dozen auto repair shops, including several car dealerships with their own repair facilities. Renae Oswald said Oswald Service and Repair plans to stand out among the competition in their own way.

“After speaking with our vendors, the feedback showed that there wasn’t really a business like us in Rexburg,” she said. “We really focus on customer service. Our shops are clean, and we don’t keep a bunch of shops out in front of the business.”

According to Renae Oswald, Oswald Service and Repair focuses on what the customer understands about their vehicle.

“We want to teach you,” she said. “Your car is like your body. You take care of your body so bad things don’t happen later, and your car is so much like that. We take it for granted when it’s going to run. We are very much about preventative care and educating our customers about their vehicle.”

The Oswald family, which has owned the business for the last three generations, is based in Rigby, placing them halfway in between their Rexburg and Idaho Falls locations. Renae Oslwald said the company is excited to begin serving residents of the Upper Valley starting mid-May.

“Although our business is in Idaho Falls, we love Rexburg as well,” she said.