Wright County at Work
I’m kicking off a new bimonthly series titled “Wright County at Work”, spotlighting businesses and the people who own them across Wright County, starting right here in Clarion. The idea is to highlight the hardworking people and the great services available in our area.
If you or someone you know runs a local business, whether it’s a hairstyling salon, a food establishment, or a home-based retail shop, and would like to be featured in an upcoming review, please reach out to me, Amanda Rink, at news@wrightcountymonitor.com.
First up is Rink’s Auto, located on the north end of Clarion along County K.
The Family Shop on County K
by Amanda Rink, Editor
At first glance, the modest double garage that houses Rink’s Auto might not catch your eye. But step inside, and you’ll meet the big personality behind the operation: Brent Rink.
Brent’s mornings begin like many of ours, with a cup of coffee. But it’s not just about caffeine. Every weekday at 8:30 A.M., he hosts a mini coffee club at the shop with his father-in-law, Rick Hammen, and a handful of other locals. By 9:00, the first customer usually rolls in, and Brent shifts gears, literally and figuratively, into work mode.
From changing oil and rotating tires to bigger jobs like transmission replacements, Brent tackles it all. While I’ve been lucky enough to avoid needing a new transmission, I can’t count how many nails he’s pulled from my tires over the past ten years.
Yes, Brent is my brother-in-law, and sure, that could make this first review sound a little biased, but I’ve watched enough of his day-to-day to say this confidently: he treats every customer who walks through his door like family.
That’s really the heart of Rink’s Auto. Brent told me that when he opened the shop, his goal was: “I wanted to open a car shop that was affordable and accessible to everyone.”
Family is always in the background of the business. Brent’s favorite part of his day? When his daughters stop by. This summer, his middle daughter, Abby, spent a lot of time in the shop. “I love teaching her the ins and outs of cars,” he said.
His youngest, Zoey, often drops in, showing off her latest dance moves, while his oldest, Shyann, stops by when she can between her busy schedule as a teenager. And like clockwork, Brent and his wife Katie share lunch together every day at 1:00 P.M.
Even though it’s a one-man shop, Brent is quick and efficient. I’ll never forget the time I spotted a nail in my tire as I was already running late for work (seriously, why do I attract them like a moth to a flame?) Brent had the tire off, patched, and back on in what felt like minutes. I made it to work only a little late.
If you’re looking for honest, reliable service from someone who truly cares about his community, I’d recommend Brent at Rink’s Auto without hesitation.
