Early on weekday mornings, you’ll find the guys at Jack’s counseling distraught and sometimes grieving car owners. Often there is a queue three or four deep, and I’ve listened as each takes a turn on the bar stool at the counter, and shares his or her sad story of auto misfortune. No matter how hot the weather or busy the schedule, and no matter how impatient the customer with the process of garage triage, he or she gets a listening ear, and a careful explanation of potential problems and options for treatment. During the past week, I’ve visited three times. Lou got my son’s Grand Prix running after a tow for an electrical failure. Todd fixed up my Trailblazer with a new idler pulley assembly and serpentine belt. I also stopped by to see Steve and Lou for advice on an emissions repair and inspection. I’ve been happy not only with the quality of work, but also the price: upcharge on parts seems modest, and labor charges never seem overbooked. If a part is going to be expensive, they will let you know; if a job will be particularly time-intensive, they will explain why. My first trip to Jack’s was for an electrical problem. A previous trip to the dealer had resulted in a $ 150 partial fix, and recommendation of an expensive new gauge cluster. One hour at Jack’s, and the short was tracked down and repaired for one hour labor. It was just a wire pulled free of its contact point in a long harness. That was eight years ago, and I’ve been going back ever since. Jack was the original owner, and moved the business a short distance to N. Main from its former location actually on the old Route 66 in Edwardsville. Steve bought the place a few years ago, and Lou is his master mechanic right hand man. These guys are smart: they make cars GO!