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Country music playing in the background.  I just started doing it," Dennis Munski said. "I was always good with my hands, if something was broke I tried to fix it." Munski, admits that working with autos is all he has ever known.

     The 58-year-old started working with cars at a young age and at 14 years old, was getting paid to work at a local car dealer in Oswego. In 1992, he opened his own shop, Munski Auto Marine (now Munski Automotive), and has been serving the Oswego community ever since.

     Completely self-taught, Munski oversees everything in the small shop. He explained that since its inception, Munski's (as he calls it) has been the same size, with no more than two mechanics including himself. He currently also employs a secretary, Sherita Dana and an intern, Teal Palmer. Lyle Ernestine Jr. is his other mechanic and diagnostics specialist that has worked with him for many years.

     According to Munski, the shop works on about 50 or more cars per week and that general maintenance such as brake check ups are the biggest day to day requests.

     "We do everything from oil changes to engine replacement," Munski said.  Munski said that they try to provide the best and fastest service as possible. "It's about making them happy."  Dana said she enjoys working at Munski's because of the friendly atmosphere. She said that she usually knows the customer and with the college students she can bond over funny car stories. To her, this warm relationship with the community comes from their approach to business.

     "With other garages it's more about the upsales, it's about adding on to the job," Dana said. "Someone comes in for an oil change, sell them the airlifters, sell them something else... we recommend services based upon need only."

     Dana explained that when she came in to work for Munski, she had no knowledge of the auto industry but over the years Munski has taught her the basics.

     In the future, Munski plans to slowly stay away from the marine shop and focus on automobiles. Although, he is expanding his marketing through advertising on the SUNY Oswego campus and Facebook, he is aware that most of his customers come from the local market.

"Most of our business comes from dedicated, loyal customers," said Sherita Dana who explained that a lot of their customers refer their family and friends. "Those are the ones we have to be grateful for."

     Munski Automotive is located on 14 W. Seneca St. For an appointment or more information, visit munskiautomotive.com or call 315-343-6229.