Henning alum opens JJ’s Service

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

Colton Jacobs is hoping to return an otherwise forgotten shop on the corner of Inman St. and Douglas Ave. to a hub of vehicle activity with his new business JJ’s Service Station. 

The 2024 Henning High School graduate recently took over the former service station in downtown Henning, which had been utilized as a storage building for much of the past 30 years. Jacobs purchased the small white building on the corner of the busy intersection in Henning earlier this spring, and since that time has been busy transforming the shop into a new business venture he hopes will fill a void within the town of Henning.

“It’s definitely been a project, but everything is done now,” he said of the remodeling project.

While there are several mechanics just outside of town, Henning has not had a mechanic in its city limits since AutoFix moved its operation to Ottertail a few years ago. 

Since that time residents have had to go out of town, even if for just a few miles, to get general vehicle maintenance, new tires, brakes, oil changes and more completed on their vehicles. Jacobs is hoping that having a convenient place to drop a vehicle off and go to work, or walk downtown to shop or dine, will make his new shop not only succeed but also spur new businesses in town. 

“Henning has been my hometown. My hope is more businesses can come back to town,” he said. 

Though he graduated high school just two years ago, Jacobs has been working on vehicles since he was 14-years-old. Prior to opening his own shop he worked at Olson Tire in Ottertail and saw the need for a mechanic in town. 

In addition to providing quality service, Jacobs is hoping to treat people with a small town care that people come to expect from a hometown mechanic. 

  “I just see the way all the big shops can hand it to you and I just think everyone needs to be fair to everyone,” he said. 

Jacobs is planning to be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and will be closed from 1-2 p.m. for lunch. He will also be open on Saturdays by appointment only. JJ’s Service Station is located at 602 Inman St. in downtown Henning.

For an appointment, stop by the shop during regular business hours or call 583-1686.