When we started Quick Nick’s, our lubrication center was designed based upon old school, proven ways of simply doing the job right and working on each vehicle like we owned it.
Our customers loved our “back to the 50’s and 60’s” retro design concept. So much so that we were really surprised when our store’s design, showrooms and signage were voted best in the nation in 2003!
What everyone didn’t know was that in the very beginning, there was a big war going on behind the scenes…about picking the name of the business! Since my father had already handled the design and signage, this was indeed the final battle. Dad was firm on naming it “Lubrication Station.” This is the designation which was featured on all of the signage above the lube bays in gas stations back in the day. Also, in defense of his selection, he referenced “College Station,” Texas also.
The trial ended abruptly when the judge, MY MOM, ruled him out of order for what we decided to be a catchier name with a nod to the fellas in our family–Quick Nick’s was in. What was also in was the idea that our lubrication center would be a place where women could feel comfortable taking their vehicles, as our goal was to treat everyone who walked through our doors with honesty and respect.
Looking back to when I returned to Lincoln from the Marine Corps, there was only one Quick Nick’s located at our downtown Walker Tire store at 9th and M Streets. At the time my brother Nick, who had just graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, was developing the Quick Nick’s operating standards and perfecting our service menus. He was also in charge of training new recruits, but there was a new “drill sergeant” in town and I assumed the role of staff motivator among other store management duties.
Today I am the manager of the new Walker Tire/Quick Nick’s Snappy Lube at 48th and Pioneers…and I have a problem. I have changed our name to Quick Nick’s Snappy Service Centers without going before the judge and jury–but no better time than right now to make the official announcement, right? I think it is a good problem to have, and a good decision moving forward, due to the fact that many of our customers already refer to our businesses as Service Centers anyway!
Quick Nick’s design has developed and matured into a full service center without losing the Snappy Lube oil change service with no appointment necessary. However, we offer so much more than that these days. (My dad still laughs when he tells the story about informing his father about his decision to build a lube center. Grandpa’s reply was: “If it’s a &*%$ lube center, don’t stop by on your next visit!” We know he would be proud of us now, even though he was less than thrilled with the idea then.)
And even with the old gas station façade, I still get a kick out of seeing all types of vehicles that pull in for service-Mini’s, Audi’s, Volvo’s, Mercedes’, BMW’s, and the occasional Ferrari, no big deal! To list all of the services we provide would take a whole page, but to sum it up when we say we are “full service” we really mean it.
We invite you to stop in and see what we have to offer – the WELCOME sign is always hanging on our door!
COLLEGE VIEW:
4221 S. 48th St.
402.488.4700
DOWNTOWN:
830 M St.
402.476.3388