Khalaid Jadallah and Sam Zammit run the kind of auto shop that relies -- and thrives -- on customer testimonials. "Our word of mouth clientele is phenomenal," says Zammit. "We just try to be nice, just try to be fair."
At Downtown Mobil on Michigan Avenue in Corktown, "nice and fair" means giving customers rides to work, dropping off cars at people's houses and steering people away from unnecessary expensive repairs. The full-service shop has been in its current location since 1994 -- it was previously downtown, near DTE Energy's campus.
When looking for a new location, Corktown was an obvious choice for Zammit: he and his wife were both born and raised in the neighborhood. "I knew the guy that owned this place when I was a kid," says Zammit. "I used to hang around the shop -- I was probably more of a pain than a help!"
Zammit has observed changes in his neighborhood, lately for the better. "Things are really starting to come back," he says. "I think we are finally on verge of a rebirth -- we finally have turned the corner and are heading in a positive direction."
Downtown Mobil is at 2035 Michigan Avenue west of Rosa Parks. Call 313-961-8503.
Source: Sam Zammit, Downtown Mobil
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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