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My name is Steve Ek and I’m the owner of Ek Automotive. When it comes to auto repair and service, people need someone they can trust. That’s where I come in. My shop is located between Park Ridge and Norwood park, in the Edison Park community of Chicago. Edison Park also happens to be where I grew up. After attending Ebinger grade school, I went on to Taft high school where I graduated in 1983. I live in the same area as my customers. In fact, I don’t see people as my customers; I look at them more as my friends, neighbors and folks I know from the area.

At my shop, I really push to keep up with the changes going on in the industry. Education and equipment are two things you could never have too much of. And I think it’s just as important to take care of the customer as it is to take care of their car. Not only is it a must for my staff to be friendly and courteous, but they go through training in communication so they can better understand the customers’ needs and expectation. It sounds strange, but I’ve come to realize that people have goals for their cars, either in distance or longevity. We help them to reach those goals.

My whole life I’ve been an open book. Anybody that has spent a short time with me will find out that I’m into music and the arts. I play Guitar and saxophone. I enjoy all music, from Charlie Parker to Kurt Cobain to Ja Rule. Bob Marley has been my biggest influence (not because we both have Dreadlocks either). The guitar hanging in my lobby isn’t for decoration. I encourage folks to pick it up and play. Even if they only know one chord, I’ll teach something. Art for me is unique. I find art in almost everything. I love creating things that I think people would enjoy and be inspired by. I’m flattered when someone “steals” ideas from something I’ve created. I’m not so much into traditional wall paintings and sculptures but rather I like when raw material is used.

If I weren’t a mechanic/auto shop owner, I would have been a chef. Cooking is a passion for me. How many auto repair shop have a full kitchen? Mine does!

One thing that makes most people laugh- for someone who owns an auto repair shop, it's funny that I walk, or ride my bicycle everywhere. If I do have to drive I take my 1971 VW beetle that I converted to electric. I guess being as environmentally minded as I am, one could call me the organic businessman in the literal since!


In the end I aspire to be, honest, unique, complete, and passionate about everything I do, if you have any questions about the repair shop please visit the website or feel free to send me a message!

- Steve