Polson Lube is in the process of constructing a new location off Round Butte Road, next to the Ronan VFW, and father-and-son owners, Dennis and Nick Baughman, are excited to join the community this August.  

Dennis said the new location's goal is to create a better customer experience. He explained that, at the Polson shop, the current influx of customers is increasing wait times. He also added that this will be more convenient for their many customers driving in from the southern portion of the valley.  

The new location, which will be called Ronan Lube, aims to be more user-friendly as well, with twice the waiting area, a larger shop and deeper service pits.  

“We're a quick oil change, and we don't want to have people wait so much, so this will just kind of ease it down here a little bit,” Dennis said.  

They have hired three new employees to start at the new location, who are currently being trained. They, along with two current employees and Dennis, will be heading down to kick off Ronan Lube. Dennis said that from there, they will probably bring on a full-time store manager once the store is established, and Nick will be able to jump back and forth between the two locations.  

Nick, a Polson graduate, started Polson Lube in 2018, and Dennis has been helping out since he retired from Les Schwab Tire Center. Dennis explained that he started working on cars right out of high school, and those are skills that stick with you. He went on to work at Les Schwab and retired after 30 years.  

Nick also took a similar path, working on cars in high school and at Les Schwab. He explained that they knew Polson needed a niche like this, so “we just decided to go ahead and do it.” 

Dennis said their contractor, Warren Frame, thought the new location was a great idea and was full steam ahead, finding the land for it. Frame built the Polson location and is finishing up the new shop in Ronan.  

Polson Lube offers quick oil changes, battery installation, wiper replacement, air filter replacement and any other quick maintenance needed on a vehicle. And Ronan Lube will offer all the same services at the same price.  

Dennis explained that he is excited about the recent business growth Ronan has had and for their family business to join that. He added that he has worked in the Ronan community before, and he’s happy to be back in the area.

    Nick and Dennis Baughman pose outside of their Polson location. They are both excited for the business to join the ongoing growth in Ronan. (Emily Messer/Leader)   Aiden Gingras works under a vehicle at the Polson Lube location on Wednesday, July 1. (Emily Messer/Leader)

 The new Ronan Lube location is almost move-in ready. Owner Nick Baughman said they intend to open in August. (Emily Messer/Leader)