DIXON – Colin Balayti always has been into taking things apart, seeing what makes them tick and putting them back together.

The 38-year-old Dixon native opened Balayti's Automotive, a full-service automotive shop, about a year and a half ago at 402 W. First St., in the former Johns Automotive Service.

"I've always been into cars," Balayti said. "I love being my own boss and doing this."

Two decades ago, Balayti moved away when he was 18 and studied at Universal Technical Institute. He then pursued a graduate program at the VW/Audi Training Academy in Atlanta, and later worked in Chicago.

He joined the Illinois National Guard, and returned to Dixon about 8 years ago.

Balayti said he had his eye on the property, which was vacant for about 4 years before it went up for sale; he bought it, and then went to work sprucing the place up.

He remodeled the shop with the help of his dad, Bob Balayti of Balayti Painting, and sister Nora, a local artist who also painted the iconic wings mural on the side of the business, where people stop by for a photo.

Balayti replaced the old hydraulic lifts, put in new doors and floors and cleared out leftover asphalt from when the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency had to remove underground gas tanks. The building was built in 1950 and was once a gas station.

The full-service shop does it all: oil changes, repairs, body lifts, wheel and tire packages, undercoating, and more.

Balayti’s not only gets cars and trucks running as good as new, the shop can get them looking as good as new, too, with its detailing service, where they can add a sheen and shine from bumper to bumper and the tires on up.

He also partnered with a local barber to provide space in the shop, so people waiting on an oil change or repairs could get a trim while they wait.

Although Jake’s Barber Shop closed after losing business to COVID-19, Balayti managed to put a positive spin on the bad news: He turned the space into a bike shop, where people can buy a bicycle or have one serviced.

"Just like with cars, I've always been into bikes," he said. "Wherever I went, the mountain bikes came with us."

He started racing cross country on bikes with his sister when he was around 16 or 17.
The shop offers bicycles for all ages and lifestyles, from mountain bikes to town and country cruisers and more.

Many businesses have come to a halt or slowed down because of coronavirus, but Balayti said it seems like he's gotten busier during this time.

Balayti's, 400 W. First St., is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 630-707-2335 or find it on Facebook to learn more.