Union Square - Somerville Community Blog

Can you believe it? This week Mike's Automotive turned 32! Yes, I said 32! It feels like yesterday I was writing our 30th anniversary post. Time flies when your...okay, I'm not going to say having fun. It's not always fun when you have to tell people how much it is going to cost them to repair their vehicles. But I've got to say, we still love what we do!

Granted, we love cars. And we love fixing them. Getting to work with the latest technology in a cutting-edge industry is truly amazing!

Even though we enjoy fixing cars, that's really not the best part of what we do. The best part is that we help people. Technology is great - but helping people is what keeps us going every day. When we wake-up each morning, we know that our day's work is going to get someone out of a jam. Now, that's more motivating than any cup of Joe!

What makes it even better is that we've been helping people in the same community all these years - so this means a little more to us than just Somerville auto repair - it's about taking care of our neighbors. Whether it be by repairing cars or partnering with our friends at Groundwork Somerville, community has always been a priority here at Mike's. I like to think that's why we're still here, while so many others have come and gone.

So, the next time you're in for service, or just grabbing a bite in Union Square, stop by and see Mike and wish him a happy birthday!

Here's to many more years! And community!

We've got some good news that we can't wait to share. Mike's has been awarded the 2011 Angie's List Super Service award! That's right, we did it again!

The Angie's List Super Service award is the holy grail of Boston auto repair awards. For those of you who don't know, Angie's List is a subscription-based online community. Basically, serious reviews by real people who hold businesses to the highest standards.

We were the first automotive repair facility in Massachusetts to win the award back in 2005. And we have continued to win it every year ever since! That's seven years straight! Now that's something to be proud of. (Think Mike singing -  no wait, don't!)

Honestly, we are both proud and humbled. But it is truly great to be recognized for providing such great service to our customers. That's no easy feat in the new world of online review demagoguery.

To us, the award recognizes that Mike's mission hasn't changed from day one: provide honest, transparent auto repair to everyone. And always protect people from the big pricey dealerships.

We would like to thank everyone for their kind words on Angie's List. We'll keep doing what we do. And you can bet we're shooting for number eight. Bring on 2012!

While perusing the Wicked Local news site - the Somerville version, of course - I came across an interesting video clip about celebrity endorsements. I just got back from Savannah, GA, so the mention of Paula Deen gave me a chuckle, seeing that I ate at her (fried-filled) restaurant. The clip highlights how we Americans are being herded like sheep!

We're just Somerville auto repair guys - and that's how we like it! You won't see any celebrity endorsements here. We've got better than that - a great crew of locals spreading the word about Mike's!

What do you think about these endorsements? Are these people sleazy, or just smart enough to take the money and run?

It's almost New Year's! The start of a new year means something different to everyone. Often it invokes feelings of joy and optimism. Here in Somerville, New Year's Day carries a special meaning. For on that day we celebrate one our local treasures: the Grand Union flag.

Many of you may know that our beloved Grand Union flag - our nations's first flag - was raised by George Washington on Prospect Hill, on January 1, 1776. But did you know that it is still celebrated by those who love our city most?

In fact, since she took helm at the Historical Preservation Commission, Brandon Wilson has worked to return the "grandness" of celebrating the Grand Union flag. A major celebration is prepared for New Year's Day, with a procession starting at City Hall, and finishing at Prospect Hill.

What a great opportunity to experience a profound piece of history, right here in Somerville! We often forget what we have right here, in our own backyard. The first shot fired during the American Revolution may have occurred in Lexington, but the battle lines were drawn here in Somerville, with the raising of the Grand Union flag.

At our Somerville auto repair shop, we look up and see the Grand Union flag every day, waving proudly, as if it's wathcing over us.

What are you doing New Year's Day? Why not get out and see the procession? Stop by Prospect Hill, and think about what the new year means to you. And how if it wasn't for George Washington and the Grand Union flag, it might mean something entirely different.

Life here in Union Square can be a little hectic, to say the least. The place we call home is basically the crossroads of Somerville and Cambridge. You would think this would mean that things are always moving slowly. But that's not the case....

The truth is Union Square is akin to a runway! Cars fly through this place like it's the autobahn, and have no regard for who or what is in their way.

This culminated in tragedy this past week. A 55 year-old Somerville woman was struck and nearly killed, right in the heart of the Square.

An investigation is in process, but regardless of the outcome, this incident should give us all pause. And we should demand that something be done in Union Square!

How much longer are we going to allow this traffic situation to exist? What if this woman had died? Would we make ourselves heard then?

This isn't about who is at fault. It's about a situation that has been allowed to worsen over the years, without consequence. Somebody needs to take a stand.

Today, we take a stand! We demand that our elected officials do something, before we really do lose a member of our community.

Are we in this alone? Drop us a comment and tell us if you're on-board!

We're pretty psyched to share our big news with everyone - we've just added a killer rewards program! It's a pretty big deal when it comes to Boston auto repair.

We thought long and hard about how to get the new program going. Not only what to offer, but more importantly, how to structure it so that it actually works. We want to reward our customers for referring us, and we don't want it to be a hassle.

So, what did we come up with? Put it all online. Make it clickable, and they will come! (We hope, anyway.) Now, it couldn't be easier to tell your friends about Mike's and get rewarded for it.

Okay - we'll get to the point. We've setup a new referral site for our current customers to go to when they want to refer a friend to Mike's. At the site you'll get your own personalized link, allowing you to share the Mike's love in a multitude of ways - social media, email - it's up to you.

And, the good stuff? Yeah, we're getting to that.... Refer your friend to Mike's and he or she will receive a FREE oil change! In return, you will receive a $25.00 gift card to Mike's!

Yes, we know - way too easy!

Seriously, we hope everyone will use and enjoy the new rewards program. Besides being nearly effortless to use, the best part is that both you and your friend get rewarded. It just doesn't get better than that!

So, check-out the site, or scan the QR code in the graphic above. Spread the word about Mike's and start piling up your rewards!

Something sweet is on the move here in the 'Ville. According to the Web site, The Feast, local favorite Redbones is hopping the tracks to Cambridge where it will open a rib stand.

Fear not, Davis Square faithful, the original Redbones will remain!

The new spot will be in Kendall Square at 300 Aethaneum Street. The rib stand will feature a much smaller (but still delicious) menu and will be solely take-out, with the exception of a few outside seats.

Redbones will make a great addition to Kendall Square - now all of the techies and VCs can get some down-home grub too!

We would like to congratulate Redbones, including co-owner Rob Gregory (who so graciously supports many local fundraising initiatives). Nothing is better than seeing a fellow locally owned, independent business flourish!

So, when in need of Cambridge auto repair, don't forget to swing by the rib shack on your way to Mike's.

And oh yeah - don't forget to save a rib for Mike!

What's your favorite dish at Redbones? Leave us some tips we won't find on Foursquare!

There's something exciting going on here in Union Square. At our Somerville auto repair shop we have a new neighbor. And we're psyched that it's another food spot!

Owner, Jose Garcia (of Blue Fin fame) has setup shop right next to us, with his new restaurant Ebi Sushi. That's right - come in for an oil change and grab a volcano roll next door for lunch. That's just too easy!

Jose told our friends at the Somerville Arts Council that he had been looking for a spot for a while. He realized that he had many customers from Union Square - but there was no sushi here. Well, the bells went off and the rest is history....

Ebi Sushi is more than just sushi. The restaurant offers a wide variety of Japanese cuisine, from tempura, to teriyaki, to noodle soups - there's something for everyone at Ebi.

And with a 4.5 star rating on Yelp, I have a feeling that Jose isn't going anywhere any time soon.

So, the next time you're in for service, or just making your way through Union, stop by Ebi Sushi and say, hello! Let's show Jose that he picked the right spot!

Did you make it to Union Square this past Saturday? We were there in full force for SomerFun - courtesy of Somerville Local First and Somerville Arts Council. It was definitely a little rough with the November-like weather - cold, rainy, and well - yuck! But we Somerville auto repair guys know how to have a good time!

We huddled under a big tent next to our friends from Groundwork Somerville - oh, so kind of them! The turnout may have been low, but it was still filled with great, local people.

We showed up with gifts for everyone! We had some sleek gift cards made that entitle the recipient to $10 off of our green oil change. And yes, they were quite a hit!

It was great to see the dedication of all the local businesses and friends of Somerville. That's what makes our community great!

And though, at the end of the day we were a little tired - and wet - all was well when we raised our glasses at the Independent.

See you next year, at what will hopefully be a warm and sunny SomerFun!

It's time to celebrate Boston - it's Earth Day! If you're familiar with us then you know it's kind of always Earth Day around here. We believe in Boston sustainable auto repair - and we make it happen.

Besides our in-house sustainability initiatives, we've got the Boston green oil change. And what better day than today to show that baby off! In honor of Earth Day, we're giving away 20 green oil changes!

What's the catch? None - we're just Boston auto repair guys who like to show the planet a little love too!

We're throwing this green party online - the first 10 people to retweet our Earth Day tweet,and the first 10 people to comment on our Earth Day Facebook status - will all receive FREE green oil changes!

So, what are you waiting for? Check us out on Twtter or Facebook and get your FREE green oil change!

And, oh yeah - Happy Earth Day!

Winners will be notified. By appointment only. Not redeemable for cash. Includes oil filter and up to 5 quarts of EcoPower oil.