New auto shop finding its market

There’s a new auto shop in the Clark Fork Valley.

Clark Fork Auto opened in August and is settling in at its new home on Industry Lane. Owner and sole employee Chad Henning brings 20 years of mechanic experience to the shop, which services all automotive and small diesel vehicles.

In recent months, Henning said business has slowed down some with the cold weather and holiday shopping season underway.

“It’s Christmas time, so no one wants to spend too much money in the holidays,” he said. “Not much goes on until after the holidays and stuff. They just fix what’s broke right now.”

Henning said while his venture has started small, he hopes to see Clark Fork Auto grow.

“I’d like to expand and get a little bit bigger,” he said.

Henning knows, like any small town, you just have to let the community warm up to the new place in town.

“You just got to get your name out there and get people comfortable with you,” he said.

While the business is new, the location is well established. Henning said he picked out the former DST Rental shop for the site because it was already equipped with the features needed to run a modest auto shop.

Henning himself has been a Plains resident for about eight years after moving here from Michigan. He enjoys the change of pace to a small town community.

“It’s nice and the people are great,” he said.

For more information on Clark Fork Auto, call Henning at 406-826-7467.