Repair shop owner cuts ribbon

March 17, 2012

The Morning News — Bob Hudson Jeff Deru, the owner of Meridian Street Automotive, cuts the ribbon while members of his family, friends and members of the Blackfoot Chamber of Commerce join in during a ceremony on Friday.

Jeff Deru has opened Meridian Street Automotive. His garage at the south end of Meridian Street was previously owned by Bill Wissert.
"I came to Idaho to be a manager for Snap-On Tools," Deru said. After he and that company parted ways, he managed a repair shop in Idaho Falls.
"I've been in the automotive industry for 28 years," he said. "I owned two auto shops in Layton, Utah."
A native of Layton, Deru said the community has lost the small-town feel he enjoyed when he was growing up.
He, his wife Pat and their children — Krystal, Zach, Jessica and Whitney — found that feel in Blackfoot nearly nine years ago. Krystal is married to Josh Gordon of Blackfoot.
Deru opened his shop, which will be a one-man operation for now, on March 1. He is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
He pointed out that he is one the automotive advisory board for BYU-Idaho and will have the opportunity to mentor students from there in his shop eventually.
Meridian Street Automotive offers complete diagnostic, electrical repair, tune-up, brake, shocks, front end, engine and transmission services.
"Each time you come in you will get a free battery, alternator and shock check," Deru said. He added that customers will also get a free 70-point visual check when they come in for service.
Call 782-CARS (2277) to schedule service.