February Business of the Month: Solomon's Garage

For 14 years, Solomon’s Garage has been a trusted name in automotive care in Logan County – known not only for its technical expertise, but also for its deep roots in West Liberty and its commitment to serving people with honesty, integrity, and care.
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Owned by Dave and Katie Neer, Solomon’s Garage is the result of a lifelong dream that began long before the business opened its doors. Dave discovered his passion for automotive work while still in high school, after fixing up an old Jeep alongside his father. That early experience gave him a clear vision for his future: he wanted to be a mechanic and, one day, own his own shop.

Solomon's Garage Owners Dave and Katie Neer

​After graduating from West Liberty-Salem, Dave pursued formal training at Lincoln Technical Institute in Indianapolis. His hard work and dedication earned him an internship at VOSS Village Olds/Cadillac/BMW in Centerville. Following graduation with honors, Dave was recruited into the prestigious BMW STEP Program, attending Ohio Technical College in Cleveland and becoming a BMW Certified Diagnostic Technician.

That certification led him to Dreyer & Reinbold BMW in Indianapolis (the oldest BMW dealership in North America) where he spent nearly ten years honing his skills alongside some of the best technicians in the industry. Even with a successful career in a high-level dealership environment, Dave never let go of the dream of returning home and opening his own shop.

That dream became reality in 2012, when Dave and Katie moved back to West Liberty and opened Solomon’s Garage in a rented section of an old machinery shed on Dave’s family farm. Those early days were challenging, but Dave always found a way to persevere. Despite the obstacles, business grew steadily, fueled by hard work, determination, and strong community support.

After four years, the opportunity arose to purchase the former Firestone tire shop at 122 S. Detroit Street. With help from The People’s Savings & Loan Co., Solomon’s Garage moved off the family farm and into downtown West Liberty. Over the past decade, the business has continued to reinvest, remodel, and expand, growing into an eight-bay, 6,600-square-foot facility that now anchors a thriving section of downtown.

Along the way, Dave and Katie have been supported and encouraged by family, friends, neighboring business owners, the Ohio Small Business Development Center, and industry coaching organizations. One lesson has remained constant throughout their journey: in business, you must always be learning, growing, and challenging yourself to reach the next level.
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Today, Solomon’s Garage is best known for its expertise in modern automotive electrical systems and European vehicles, but the team proudly provides complete diagnostic, repair, and maintenance services for all domestic, Asian, and European cars and light trucks. Their focus on preventative maintenance helps customers avoid unexpected breakdowns and make informed decisions about their vehicles – whether the goal is to get another year out of a car or drive it well beyond 200,000 miles.

The business is powered by a dedicated team that includes Dave and Katie Neer, along with automotive technicians Brian Chrencik and Kaleb Pond, maintenance technician Jim Etherton, service writer Christian Powers and parts runner Dave Spain. Together, they pride themselves on treating customers like friends and friends like family, building long-term relationships based on trust and transparency.

​Solomon’s Garage has also made a lasting impact beyond its shop doors. The business and its owners are deeply involved in the community, supporting Hi-Point Career Center students through work-based learning partnerships, volunteering with the Honda Federal Credit Union Game of Life simulation, and working closely with local churches, West Liberty Cares, and the area women’s shelter to help community members stay safely on the road for work, school, and medical appointments. Katie has served in leadership roles with the West Liberty Business Association and Champaign County BNI and has been active in organizations that further strengthen connections across the region.

Their commitment to integrity and service has earned Solomon’s Garage numerous recognitions over the years, including the 2019 Drive Effective Shop Manager Award presented at Drive Expo West in Los Angeles, the Logan County Chamber’s 2018 Integrity in Business Award, West Liberty’s 2022 Business of the Year, and the Volunteer of the Year Award from Lutheran Community Services in 2025.
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Innovation continues to play a key role in the business’s success. In recent years, Solomon’s Garage expanded into its unused secondary building, adding an additional 3,600 square feet and investing in high-quality equipment acquired from closing service centers. Their alignment system is now one of the few in a three-county area capable of accommodating long-bed pickup trucks, allowing them to bring even more services in-house for local customers.

As Solomon’s Garage continues to grow, the team is currently looking to add another motivated professional. This position offers the benefits of working in a busy, dealer-quality automotive shop – without the stress of city traffic – along with a clean, well-lit facility, state-of-the-art diagnostic and programming equipment, and the opportunity to work alongside highly trained technicians. The role includes many benefits, and a consistent Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. schedule. Interested applicants are encouraged to call 937-887-0029 to learn more.

As active Chamber members for nine years, Dave and Katie value the relationships, networking opportunities, and sense of community that come with being part of the Logan County Chamber of Commerce. You’ll often find them participating in Chamber events and connecting with fellow business owners who share a passion for strengthening the local economy.

Looking ahead to 2026, the Neers are excited about continued growth, paying down debt, strengthening their team, and building on the momentum they’ve created—while remaining rooted in the community that has supported them from the very beginning. We are thankful for their dedication, service, and lasting impact on Logan County.

Interested in learning more about Solomon’s Garage? You can schedule service or explore career opportunities by calling 937-887-0029 or 937-844-9046, or by emailing [email protected]. Additional information about their services is available at solomonsgarage.com, and you can follow Solomon’s Garage on social media to stay up to date on shop news, community involvement, and important updates.

Please join us in congratulating Solomon’s Garage as the Logan County Chamber of Commerce February 2026 Business of the Month!