A focus on diesel truck repairs, but the ability to service any automotives and do so in a family friendly venture. That’s what Red’s Gas and Diesel in Lisbon is looking to do.
Red’s Gas and Diesel opened doors in Lisbon in March, taking over the former Duane’s Service shop along Business 30 (318 E Kirkwood Blvd is the physical address). Prior to being located in Lisbon, the business was based out of Cedar Rapids and focused primarily on towing and roadside assistance beginning in 2022.
“We just got to the point where we were getting so many customers who wanted us to work on their vehicles and diagnostic care, that we needed someplace to set up shop,” said Mitchell Burhite, owner of the shop. “When Duane’s Service shop came open, that became a perfect location.”
For Burhite, the joy he gets as a mechanic is in knowing he has fixed something for a customer that they will get more miles of enjoyment out of.
“If anyone has looked at used car prices recently, you know that repairing a car is usually cheaper than replacing a vehicle,” Burhite said. “We try to do what we can to help customers save as much as possible on their repairs and get their vehicles running again.”
Burhite and his family currently reside in Center Point, but are looking to relocate to the Lisbon area to be closer to the business.
One of the biggest challenges for the shop – keeping up with the clientele they have.
“We’ve gained so many customers due to the excellent word of mouth we’ve had,” said Marshall Morgan. “With one dedicated technician and Mitchell, we try to get through as many car repairs as we can in any day.”
“If you work here, you’re most likely turning a wrench,” Burhite said.
The repair shop is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Fridays. Red’s Gas and Diesel also provides towing and roadside assistance 24-7. Morgan said that those requests off hours may come with slightly higher fees.
Burhite and his wife, Kimberly, have four children.
One of the specials that Burhite says they run is in the month of November, they try to raise as much as they can for the University of Iowa Stead’s Children Hospital in Iowa City. His youngest son was born with fetal hydronephrisis, where the kidneys were present, but not functioning adequately.
“Doctors didn’t expect him to survive, but he did, but it came with seven months of hospitalization, as well as additional hospitalization for a heart attack,” Burhite said. “We do that fundraiser to give back as much as we can to the children’s hospital because we believe the work they do there is a great cause.”
“We just want to keep a positive name associated with this automotive shop as well,” Morgan said. “We want to continue to offer that family friendly service with our automotive care.”
“We’re very black and white with our explanations when it comes to diagnostics and what it will take to fix any vehicle, and we want to continue our focus on diesel and all makes of cars and vehicles.”
The shop is NAPA Autocare Center certified service center as well.
Reach the shop at 319-804-0717 to schedule an appointment for your vehicle.