Christy opened Norway Auto Sales and Service at 1939 U.S. 2 in Norway.

A Faithorn native and Norway High School graduate, Christy said he’s been interested in being a mechanic since he was 12, working on tractors, four-wheelers and dirt bikes, even as he helped in his family’s business through high school.

Though Christy trained at Northern Michigan University to be an electrical lineman, he became a shipping supervisor at a local manufacturer for the next six years.

But he’d wanted to get back to working on vehicles, so he jumped when the opportunity came up to take over a garage. He now is licensed as a mechanic and as a vehicle dealer in both Michigan and Wisconsin.

Norway Auto Sales and Service at 1939 U.S. 2 in Norway. (Jim Paul/Daily News photo)

Christy said while he knew November would be a difficult time of the year to open a garage, business has been steady and he hopes it will get much busier.

The level of service he provides will win over customers and set him apart from the competition, he said. He wants to be known as “the hometown garage,” offering Norway residents a reliable place to bring vehicles or get a tow.

“A whole lot of places you go to you are not talking to the mechanic, you are talking to a service writer, they are just writing down what the mechanic said,” Christy said. “I would like to go into depth and tell people the reason why something needs to be fixed rather than just giving somebody the bill.”

Another key to success will be keeping his rates down, Christy added.

Along with engine and transmission rebuilding, Norway Auto Sales and Service is a full-service garage, doing brakes, front-end work, exhaust, tuneups, oil changes, engine diagnostics and general overall maintenance.

Norway Auto Sales and Services offers 24-hour towing and if they fix the vehicle, the tow is at no additional charge.

Christy stands behind his work, providing a 90-day warranty on most of what he does.

Aside from his father, Mark Christy, who helps in the office, Christy is a one-man operation but does plan on adding employees once the work picks up.

In the near future, Christy said Norway Auto Sales and Service will begin selling tires. He is considering which lines of tires he will carry so he can give the best possible warranty and price.

Norway Auto Sales and Service is also proud to do detailing, a service Christy said not many in the area provide. Prices for a mid-size sedan interior detailing start at $150. Currently, with the purchase of an oil change Christy is offering $25 off a detailing, either interior or exterior, or $50 off on both.

Later this month, Norway Auto Sales will have vehicles for sale to the lot, hoping to eventually have up to 20 for customers to select from.

Christy says he plans to bring in cars, minivans and trucks from southern states. Norway Auto Sales and Service will offer vehicles between four and 10 years old and priced between $4,000 and $10,000.

“I would like to be able to have some nice, reliable, rust-free vehicles that are affordable,” Christy said. “There are a lot of places out there where you have to spend an arm and a leg on a car.”

Christy is also looking into working with a finance company to be able to assist customers.

Norway Auto Sales and Service is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment Saturdays and Sundays.