In an industry often associated with uncertainty and hidden costs, LeGrand Auto Service Experts LLC is working to change the narrative—one customer at a time. Located at 390 North St in Middletown, NY, the shop has quickly built a reputation for honesty, reliability, and community care.
“This is a neighborhood business. It’s a community repair shop,” said owner Herman F. Dawkins. “What we do here is basically all services… brakes, suspensions, diagnostics, electrical repair… we pretty much cover just about everything on a vehicle that needs to be done.”
A lifelong journey in automotive service
Since opening on April 2, 2025, Dawkins has brought more than 40 years of experience into the shop, along with a clear mission: to serve people, not just repair cars.
“I’ve been in the automotive industry for over 40 years. I’ve done just about everything,” he said. His journey began at age 12 in a small Bronx repair shop and later expanded to working with major manufacturers, managing shops, and spending 17 years in education as an automotive instructor and administrator.
“After I left [education], I said, let me do something that’ll help the community—and I decided to open a repair shop.”
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Dawkins emphasizes that understanding customers’ needs is at the heart of his business.
“I believe we are more community-minded and customer service centered,” he said. “We understand that the customer’s car is their lifeline.”
With most residents relying heavily on their vehicles for daily commuting, he added, “That’s something we keep in mind every time we service a vehicle.”
Adapting to rapidly changing technology
Modern vehicles are far more complex than those of the past, presenting both challenges and opportunities.
“Technology is booming,” Dawkins explained. “Back in the days… if you had a screwdriver and a pair of pliers, anybody could fix the car. It’s not like that anymore.”
He recalled a recent case: “There was a warning sign… your vehicle is running on aged fuel… that’s the amazing things that these vehicles nowadays can do.”
To keep up, he stresses continuous education. “We have to consistently train… look for ways to educate ourselves so that we will know how to repair that vehicle next time.”
Building trust through transparency
Trust is a cornerstone of the shop’s philosophy, especially in an industry where customers may feel uncertain.
“Everyone feels nervous about repair,” Dawkins said. “One thing we do is full transparency… we take photos, videos… bring them into the shop, show them what’s going on, educate them.”
Customers are shown before-and-after conditions and even offered their replaced parts. “Most of the time they’re not interested, because they have the confidence… that helps build trust.”
This approach has also helped the shop gain a reputation for solving difficult cases. “We get a lot of customers that come to us [after] they spent money, but the car wasn’t repaired,” he said. “We’re becoming known as the shop that can take care of those situations.”
Serving the community beyond repairs
For Dawkins, the mission extends far beyond the garage. In addition to his work as a business owner, he has also served as a volunteer firefighter, reflecting his long-standing commitment to helping others. He remains actively involved in local initiatives, including food banks and donation drives.
“We want to make certain that we’re connecting with the neighborhood… being able to hand these items to individuals who are in need keeps us involved in the community,” he said.
One early experience reflects that commitment. When a college student with a child was stranded without funds, his team stepped in. “We got the car started… put her on a small payment plan… got her back on the road with as little pain as possible,” he said. “She was very appreciative.”
Looking ahead
As the shop approaches its first anniversary, Dawkins expressed gratitude for the community’s support.
“I just want to thank all my customers… the fact that we built that trust between ourselves and our customers in the community,” he said. “We’re looking forward to another fantastic year.”
Looking ahead, his vision remains simple: “Just continue doing what we’re doing… being open and honest and transparent… making certain that the vehicles are repaired right the first time—and just share as much love and joy that we possibly can.”
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