THE LERUM AUTO STORY

Lerum Automotive was a dream come true for me. It all started with a love for the automobile when I was a boy. As I grew through my teen years, my automobile interests also grew. When I finished high school, there was no question about what I wanted to do—work on cars!

I attended Eden Prairie VoTech and got a job at Wayzata Amoco. The owner became my mentor, and he and his family touched my life in a way that all I wanted to do professionally was to expand my automotive world. His dedication to training on newer cars and technology was pivotal in my career. At that same time, the lovely girl I met in VoTech became my wife. As we grew together, our families also grew. In 1985, we had our first daughter Sarah, Laura came just two years later, and finally, our son Andrew was born in 1990. At that point, we were done having kids, and I had moved from the Amoco station to the local Ford dealer to further grow my auto repair career. I discovered that the larger company was not for me, so I went to a nonunion shop and, in 1993, found myself looking for a shop of my own.

I first opened for business in the Mobil Station on Excelsior Blvd in St. Louis Park. The only problem was that the person I was subleasing lost his lease, so I had two months to close or move out. As luck or I want to think the Lord looking out for us would have it, the new shop in St. Louis Park on West Lake Street would become available. I scrambled some money together and bought the shop. I ran that shop for ten years and now have my nephew Tim Lerum running it with Bruce and my son Andrew working there. I am there most days as well. We have been operating there for over 20 years and with the Lord's blessing for many more.

In 2003, I became restless and thought I needed to make a move. I thought about just moving from St. Louis Park to a different location. My commitment to our customers in St. Louis Park was too significant; the move just didn't fit. I then talked to an old mentor, who told me to look for gray-gray shops I migrated to grow into and those I admire. The first place I went to was Hansen's Auto Spa on Penn Avenue. Paul was the owner, and as I talked to him, he looked at me funny and said I was just thinking about selling the shop; call me tomorrow. As I did, the deal just fell into place like God wanted it to. I do not doubt that Jesus has had a place in this business and will as long as I am here. He has led the way through thick and thin.

With Integrity as the corner of my business, there's no telling what we can do!

Dean Lerum

Owner