EDITOR'S NOTE: The ribbon cutting was held this afternoon and below is a story that ran Sept. 17 on Connect-Bridgeport. Photography from today's event, which included city and county officials along with employees, is by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com.

 

Bridgeport’s Main Street Corridor is getting two new businesses on the same location. And it comes less than a month after the previous business occupying the space departed.

 

After Freedom FastLane, which was part of Freedom Kia’s operation, left for its new home just off Saltwell Road, the former Meineke building had a new owner. Vast Holdings, LLC, which is ran by Scott Werdebaugh and Pete Prokopchuk, acquired the building and put it up for lease.

 

It didn’t last long. Vince McKibben and Denny Detamore teamed up to acquire the building and the property. And they’re already putting it to use.

 

The building is now home to Bridgeport FastLane Plus. The business offers oil changes, new tires, tune ups, alignments, brake work, engine repair and all types of auto needs. It’s already in operation.

 

“The concept is to be convenient and quick, which is the reason it’s called ‘FastLane.’ We want our customers to know we’ll be getting you in and out as soon as possible,” said McKibben.

 

For those who have a hectic schedule, the services may come in handy. There are no appointments necessary.

 

Next month, the second business will open on the same lot. McKibben said it will be home to M&D Used Cars. The initials stand for McKibben and Detamore.

 

“We’ll have all makes and models of cars and trucks,” said McKibben. “We have room for up to 25 cars here, but we’ll start out between 10 and to as many as 20 cars, which will be based on how the community reacts to what we offer. If we sell more, we’ll stock more.”

 

McKibben said they’ll have mid-quality to high-quality used vehicles. Any trade-ins that don’t fit that description, he said, will be sold at Detamore’s business in Jane Lew.

 

“We’re going to redo the parking lot and we’re going to create another entry off of Locust Drive for convenience,” said McKibben. “There’s a big enough parking lot that it allows us to put both businesses together.”

 

The goal is to have the car lot open in October. McKibben said all steps are being taken, including acquiring the necessary licensure, to get things going. The office space for the car lot was expected to be done by this past Friday.

 

McKibben believes Bridgeport’s Main Street is an excellent place to do business. And that’s more experience than hyperbole.

 

Recently, McKibben was involved in redoing the building that now houses “Beyond Beauty,” a salon his wife operates within eye shot of the location for his two new businesses. Beyond Beauty is situated at 921 West Main Street at the intersection of Corpening Drive – across from Wilson Martino.

 

“We chose this because the location is really convenient and there’s plenty of visibility,” said McKibben. You have 15,000 cars a day going past the business along Route 50.”

 

This coming Friday, Sept. 22, the business will have an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at 12:30 p.m. McKibben is also hosting a tailgate party that day for Bridgeport High School students heading to Clarksburg for the annual game with Robert C. Byrd since the students have a tailgate prior to home games.

 

“We’ll actually be celebrating starting at 11 a.m. and we’ll continue on Saturday,” said McKibben. “It’s going to be a cookout atmosphere and it’s open to the community. We’re inviting everyone to stop by.”

 

The hours for both businesses will be Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Once October gets into swing, McKibben said Sunday hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. will also be added.

 

Anyone with inquiries can call 304-848-9234.

 

Editor's Note II: Top two photos show the exteriror and interior of the new FastLane business, while owners Denny Detamore, left, and Vince McKibben are shown below. Photos by www.benqueenphotography.com.