LaX service station back in business

--Medina Ingraham photo

Medina Ingraham has re-opened the former LaCrosse service station as LaCrosse Auto Care. The business is open Monday through Friday. The station was previously operated by the late Ted Torgeson.

The LaCrosse service station, formerly operated by the late Ted Torgeson, is back in business as LaCrosse Auto Care, LLC.

Medina Ingraham, formerly of the Coeur d'Alene/Post Falls area, moved with her mother Melody Wise, a LaCrosse native, back to LaCrosse a couple of years ago, and Ingraham purchased the former station and has it up and running for business.

“We're trying to carry on the work that Ted did,” said Wise.

The station opened Nov. 1. It had been closed “for quite some time,” Wise said. They will now offer service for small vehicles. They will not be selling gas.

“We do oil changes, tire service, wash and detail and more,” said Wise.

The service station was most recently operated as T & L Tire and Service by Torgeson, who had purchased the gas station in LaCrosse and then operated it. He and his wife, Linda, operated the station for about 15 years. Torgeson died in March this year.

Wise noted business so far has been slow.

“It's been really quiet because a lot of people don't realize we're here,” she said.

Wise graduated from LaCrosse High School with the class of 1966. She moved away for about 35 years. Ingraham briefly attended LaCrosse schools when she was younger.

“We're back home,” said Wise.

Ingraham previously worked for Hay Elevators and at the Pastime Tavern in LaCrosse. Wise had been in retirement.

Ingraham is the main owner of the auto care shop, and Wise volunteers her time there. Robert Ingraham, Medina's ex-husband, is the mechanic at the shop.

“We want people to be able to have their vehicles taken care of here locally,” she said. “People are having to go to Colfax.”

LaCrosse is also home to Startin's Repair, and Wise said the Startins are happy to have them in town.

“We don't compete with each other,” said Wise. “We'll send them the big stuff, and they'll send us the little stuff.”

LaCrosse Auto Care is open Monday through Friday and on evenings and weekends by appointment. Wise said anyone needing service can call 509-549-7378 ahead of time to see if they are open.