Even as a toddler, Jamie Howell always had a natural interest in how things were made and how they worked. Growing up, he always enjoyed taking things apart and putting them back together and figuring out why broken things no longer worked. Jamie’s mom, Theresa Harris, has always enjoyed telling the story about how he came out from under the dining room table with a handful of nuts and bolts from the legs, informing her that he “fict it”. That very early curiosity and natural understanding of mechanical things would eventually lead Jamie to a career of helping people and fixing broken things.
Jamie was born and raised in Floyd, attending both Floyd County Elementary and Floyd County High School. Jamie’s interest in cars started as the movie series, “The Fast and the Furious”, was becoming popular. This was also during the time when Jamie was in high school, getting his driver’s license.
“While being a little over the top,” says Jamie, “I saw that series really change the car culture for kids. Before that, car culture was mostly about 60s muscle cars that just weren’t available to most people in the 2000s”.
Jamie took three years of auto mechanics in high school, receiving the mechanics award his senior year. He also received acceptance into Nashville Auto-Diesel College where he graduated top-ten in his class with a 4.0 GPA and multiple certifications.
Jamie started his automotive technician career at Protocol, which was located behind where Autoville Auto Repair opened. Protocol moved locations a couple times, and Jamie followed until they decided to close the business. Jamie then worked for Autoville as the lead technician for a number of years. This is where Jamie worked for most of his automotive career, but eventually, he decided to make a career change. He became a welder for Volvo Trucks where he expanded his skills as a welder and maintenance technician. When layoffs came during the Covid pandemic, Jamie made use of the opportunity to pursue another passion. He threw himself into home repairs and handyman services, remodeling a few homes and helping fill a needed service in the community.
At the end of 2021, Jamie received an opportunity he had never expected or even planned for. Chris Newman, owner of Autoville Auto Repair, decided to leave the business. Bruce Sweeny, who owned the building with his family, already knew Jamie from the time he had spent working there. Sweeny found himself in need of a tenant, and he could think of no one better than Jamie to pick up the auto repair business where Chris had left off.
Jamie was presented with an offer to own and operate the very shop where he had worked for so many years! While owning a garage had never been in his life plan, he saw the potential for a successful business, as well as a quickly growing demand in a growing community. On January 1, 2022, Jamie officially opened Main Street Mechanics at 610 East Main Street in Floyd.
Since opening his business, Jamie has focused on providing a clean, professional, quick, and convenient auto repair shop. “I’ve worked at several shops over the years, and I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. I’ve tried to focus on what does and avoid what doesn’t. A clean shop and getting things done when you say you will is very important for people”.
Jamie says things don’t always go to plan and there are always problems when dealing with cars, parts, customers, and employees while trying to balance them all at once. “Main Street Mechanics has grown a lot faster than I expected, and there have been some growing pains, but I’ve done my best to fix and prevent repeat issues. It’s definitely been a learning experience”.
Main Street Mechanics now has three full time mechanics, including Jamie, Cliff Webb, and Shannon Nichols. The business also hired service writer, Andrew Lewis, to keep things running smoothly. Like Jamie, everyone working at Main Street Mechanics grew up in Floyd and has family in Floyd. Cliff and Shannon had been Jamie’s best friends for many years leading up to and during the business startup. “They started this with me,” says Jamie, “and I couldn’t and wouldn’t have done it without their help and support.”
Jamie also thanks his mother, Teresa Harris, who also owns Blue Ridge Florist and Gifts, for being a huge source of help and support. Jamie also acknowledges his ex-wife, Gwendolyn Howell, for supporting him mentally and emotionally during this journey he has taken.
The growing may have had its share of pains, but Main Street Mechanics quickly attracted customers from Floyd, Pulaski, Stuart, and surrounding counties. They also service local and out of area contractors and businesses! Jamie really enjoys getting to know new customers from out of state and how they found or moved to Floyd.
Main Street Mechanics focuses primarily on being a “quick in and out” type of shop. “Unfortunately, we don’t have the space or people to be able do everything while also keeping up with the demand,” says Jamie. “There are plenty of other great shops in Floyd better suited to handle jobs like engine rebuilds and restoration projects. I would rather schedule someone for next week and have it done the same day than to tell them we’ll get it done ‘when we get to it’ and they be without a car for a week.”
Jamie tells us that trying to keep scheduled appointments and unexpected, emergency break downs balanced is one of the biggest issues facing small shops. “We never know when someone’s only vehicle will come in on a tow truck, and they have to get to an important doctor’s appointment in the morning. Learning how to schedule things in a way that allows us to accommodate those situations has always been important to me.”
Main Street Mechanics deals with multiple parts and materials suppliers to serve their customers as quickly as possible while still offering the best prices possible. They receive eight-to-ten parts and tire deliveries and day. As a courtesy service for their customers, they have also partnered with Technet, a nationwide warranty and service program, to cover any repairs anywhere in the country so you can feel secure anywhere on the road. Most customers are also provided with free towing and roadside assistance reimbursement under this program. For mor information, visit Technet online at www.technetprofessional.com.
Services provided by Main Street Mechanics include State Inspections, oil changes, brakes, tires, alignments, suspension repairs, electrical diagnostics, tune-ups, factory maintenance schedules, radiators, timing belts, shakes, rattles, rumbles, and weird noises. They also have contact information for towing and cleaning/detail services upon request. They work on American, Japanese, and European vehicles.
Main Street Mechanics is centrally located in Floyd behind Autoville, with the entrance located beside Floyd Jewelry. They offer near-town roadside assistance, pick up and drop off of customers and vehicles, and a waiting area if you need to wait for your service. They are open 9:00am – 6:00pm, Monday through Friday. There is also a before/after-hours drop box so customers can leave vehicle at their convenience.
At just age 33, Jamie Howell has accomplished so much! With fifteen years of experience behind him, he is now enjoying being his own boss! He genuinely loves helping people. “I enjoy running the business, but I’ve never been a ‘car guy’. I just like fixing things and solving problems and being challenged.
Jamie Howell • Main Street Mechanics
540-745-4224 • 610 East Main Street, Floyd, VA