Bailey and Isaac Studtmann are the new owners of the OK Garage & Mini Mart in Long Creek.

Isaac Studtmann, a master certified mechanic, and his wife, Bailey, are the new owners of OK Garage & Mini Mart in Long Creek.

The couple moved from La Grande to Long Creek in July and took ownership of the business Aug. 1.

For Isaac, the move is a return to roots, having lived in the town from 2008 to 2013, when he graduated from Long Creek School.

Bailey, who hails from Walla Walla, Washington, has visited Long Creek on several occasions.

Isaac worked at Legacy Ford in La Grande for five years, and he is master certified in automotive repair.

On Sept. 12, he was changing out a transmission on an SUV in the shop and checking fluids on a semi-truck.

Other services include changing all fluids, changing tires, brake work, engine performance and repair, steering and suspension.

He said his work is mostly automotive, and he doesn’t work on 4-wheelers that much.

Just about the only services he can’t provide are air conditioning and alignments because he does not have the proper equipment.

He said his motto in serving customers is offering “peace of mind that they’re being treated fairly and respectfully with good service at a reasonable price.”

Isaac said he and Bailey and their children, 3-year-old Alayna and 5-month-old Madison, frequently traveled to Long Creek to visit his parents, Linda and Ed Studtmann.

During some of their visits, Isaac said Craig and Donna Palmer, longtime former owners of OK Garage, would ask him when he planned to buy the shop, which they had for sale.

“We weighed the pros and cons of owning our own business as opposed to working for someone else,” Isaac said. “The opportunity to make your own decisions, setting your own hours, being your own boss instead of doing whatever you’re told, regardless of whether you agree with the ethics of it” were pros in the decision.

Bailey said they were also interested in raising their daughters in a small community. She said area residents are personable and she enjoys knowing them on a first-name basis

OK Garage also has a gas station, including diesel, unleaded and nonethanol fuels, and a mini market.

The convenience store is stocked with snacks, drinks, liquor, basic grocery items, ice cream, toiletries, charcoal, lighter fluid and more.

They also sell a selection of Outwest Gifts, including wallets, hats and sunglasses.

The Studtmanns would like to add fishing gear and larger camping items such as coolers and camp chairs in the future.

Other future goals for the business include adding towing services and another mechanic on a service truck.

When he’s not working, Isaac enjoys camping, hunting and winter snowboarding. He also enjoys creating clocks and lamps out of old automotive parts.

He and Bailey both love classic cars.

“My dad is a mechanic, and I grew up around cars, race tracks and car shows,” she said.

She also enjoys crocheting and making homemade household products, such as laundry soap.

The couple said Alayna enjoys playing outside and visiting her grandma’s horses in Walla Walla.

Isaac said he likes starting his day off chatting with the ranchers, who stream in when they open, to drink free coffee and talk about local happenings.

“It’s one of the highlights of my day,” Isaac said.

OK Garage, located at 151 North Highway 395, is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week, except for certain holidays. For more information, call 541-421-3344.

“People are welcome to call or come on down and tell us what they need,” he said. “I’ll help them out if I can.”