Spring 2013
Calorner
7
Garage owner does it all and his way By Kate Sheldon Vehicles require a lot of attention and upkeep. Sometimes, people overlook things or put off maintenance. This, however, is not true for Mark Podolek, of Washington, Pa., owner of the Car Care Center. Podolek, 52, has been passionate about anything with wheels for as long as he can remember. He had many hot rods and dirt bikes when he was younger and always enjoyed messing around with cars, he said. He is the only one in his family to pursue a career of this sort. When he was growing up in Washington, he had a lot of opportunities to hunt and to ride his motorcycle, two of his favorite activities, he said. Lifting weights at the gym is also another hobby Podolek still enjoys. Photo by Kate Sheldon After working at NAPA Auto Parts and Mark Podolek of the Car Care Center in Washington, Pa., says his shop does most jobs. then being a manufacturing manbut there is one job he prefers to ager at Calgon Carbon Corporation “We’re different from avoid. in Pittsburgh for years, he decided it our competitors because “I don’t like changing heavy tires,” he was time for a change of pace with his we very seldom turn said. career. down any job ...” “They’re really just awkward to do.” Podolek purchased The Car Care Cen-- Mark Podolek ter on Henderson Avenue in WashingHe said the most satisfying part of Garage owner ton in 2003 after he had decided that his job is “the fact that I can provide “With the way this economy is now, after his last job, he never wanted to a living for my family without anyone considering the presidential regime work for anyone else again. telling me what to do; [that] makes The Car Care Center is an auto repair we’ve had, there are busy and slow me feel the most accomplished.” times, but the flow of customers and shop. There are plenty of auto repair The most important qualities for a jobs is usually fairly constant,” Podolek shops around, but Podolek thinks his position in this field are to know diagsaid. is unique. nostics, he said. He said he finds a great deal of “We’re different from our competitors Even though he did not go to school satisfaction when a customer calls because we very seldom turn down in this field, he said he feels that it is back and says how pleased he or she any job or task that we come across, important to get the right education to and we specialize in almost everything is with the job that has been completed, but there are other times when be able to perform the things that are automotive,” Podolek said. done on a daily basis. Podolek is not so happy. “We also not only offer vehicle mainThough there is always something to Those times include, “when a vehicle tenance, but also complete collision is difficult to diagnose and do a correct be done while at work, Podolek tries service, as well,” he said. to make the atmosphere as laid-back repair on and when a customer says Podolek employs five people. They as possible for both his employees and we charge too much for a service that take care of everything from car mainhim, he said. we do here,” Podolek said. tenance to collision repair. They even Podolek tries to make sure that he As the owner, Podolek said he is do detailing. and his employees live by his motto: willing to do anything necessary to For Podolek, being timely with a “We all have to work for a living, so provide a quality service to each cuscustomer’s car repair is important and tomer. we might as well have a little fun domaking sure that everything is reHe is willing to get his hands dirty, ing it,” he said. paired correctly is a must.