Ex-Part-Owner At Joliet's Mike More Miles Opens His Own Auto Shop In Crest Hill: Photos

JOLIET, IL — Pedro Jasso, a long-time Joliet area auto mechanic who was part-owner of Joliet's Mike More Miles auto shop on Larkin Avenue, has left the company and opened his own auto repair shop in Crest Hill. Jasso's grand opening celebration for Rapid Response Lighting & Auto is coming up next weekend.

The grand opening event will be Saturday, June 21, from 1 to 3 p.m. and "all are welcome." There will be food, raffles and live music from The Chicago Blues Angels, according to Jasso.

Rapid Response is near North Raynor Avenue at 920 Brian Drive Unit A. An easier way to get there is coming from Caton Farm Road driving east.

According to Jasso, Rapid Response's services include: window tinting, PPF protective film, suspension, brake repair, diagnostics and electrical, lift kits, wheels and tires, powder coating and accessory lighting.

"We're also doing customizing cars, wheels, window tinting," Jasso explained. "We're opening up a detail shop across the street, too."

Rapid Response is now open six days a week, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and for appointments on Saturday.

Rapid Response also performs oil changes.

Jasso wanted everyone to know that Rapid Response is by appointment only. People can either call 815-409-0955 or 331-775-1913.

"I don't take too much as far as walk-ins," Jasso explained.

Jasso Worked At Mike More Miles On Larkin Avenue

For six years, Jasso worked as part-owner at the Mike More Miles auto shop on Larkin Avenue in Joliet. Before the company change, the auto shop was part of the Merlin's franchise.

Jasso said he first joined Merlin's in 2010, and he moved from the Lockport shop to the Plainfield location in 2012. He became a part-owner of Mike More Miles in 2019.

Jasso said that one of the employees from the Joliet Mike More Miles, Jose Hernandez, is now working at his new Crest Hill auto shop, Rapid Response.

"Down the road, we definitely want to add more," Jasso said of auto mechanics.

"I know a lot of customers are still looking for me," Jasso remarked, regarding his decision to leave Mike More Miles and open his own shop. "I've got quite a few customers that are coming over here already. We're trying to build new customers. Right now, we're working with D'Arcy Motors with their new trucks, putting on lift kits for tires and wheels."

Since he opened in May, Jasso said most of his business has come from automotive repairs and the lift kits. As for oil changes, Jasso said a key reason he makes his business by appoint only is "so people aren't waiting two or three hours.

"I really like it," Jasso said of being the sole owner of his business. "I feel a lot less stressful working for myself, and I feel I get more work done."

"Right now, we're trying to focus on the lift kits and trying to get more customers on that aspect, but we're still open for repair jobs as well."

Jasso said the most important thing is for Rapid Response to be known for "quality of service."

"We offer warranties as well. Twenty-four months or 24,000 miles," he said. "We're hoping in the future that we can buy the building from the owner. "