Lenzi Service Station marks 75th anniversary

The Monongahela business has lasted four generations.

By MATT PETRAS
For the MVI

Lenzi Service Station, a Mon Valley staple in Monongahela that offers auto repairs and towing services, has lasted four generations of the Lenzi family and reached 75 years of operation.

“We have a very successful business with high clientele every day,” said co-owner Erica Lenzi-Donas. “It’s pretty amazing that we continue to grow each year.”

The business, located at 149 E. Main Street, operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Lenzi-Donas owns the business alongside her father, Gary Lenzi.

Lenzi-Donas didn’t initially foresee a decades-long career helping to run the family business. In the 2000s, she went to New York City to pursue a career in the fashion industry, but after a call in 2006 from her parents asking if she could help run the auto shop, she agreed to come home.

After learning the ropes, she became an asset for the business because of her ability to connect with people. People often don’t know much about how cars work and how auto work is priced, so being trustworthy proves essential, Lenzi- Donas said.

“It helps with people trusting you more, too, because I am a female in this industry,” Lenzi-Donas said. “I think that plays a role in it.”

The shop has 13 full-time employees and sees about 30 to 35 customers per day, according to Lenzi-Donas. Because of this, work at the shop can be hectic and challenging.

“I still learn something new every single day,” Lenzi-Donas said. “I learn as much as I can with what I’m doing.”

Lenzi Service Station has maintained a loyal customer base throughout its decades in business. Because word travels quickly in a small town and because of how many residents have met members of the Lenzi family, the business has become well-known.

“We do have a small town, but we do have a lot of customers who travel an hour to come to us, which is pretty great,” Lenzi-Donas said. “We have so many customers that move out of our area but still drive the distance to come back to us, so that’s really nice. I think that says a lot too about the clientele that we have.”

Lenzi-Donas has known since her early childhood how much work her family puts into running the business. Still, the challenge energizes her.

“It’s amazing, and I plan on continuing it for generation after generation. It’s incredible. And we don’t take it for granted. We work very, very hard. I’m working 55 hours a week with three children that are under the age of six,” Lenzi-Donas said, laughing. “We stay very busy.”

For more information, call 724-258-8531.