Nearly 30 years after starting in a single alley bay, Blaine's Alley Auto Point S has grown into a full-service auto repair shop under owner Rich Eacret. (Photo: PNW Daily)
BLAINE, Wash. — It all started in an alley.
Long before Alley Auto became a Point S tire and automotive service shop, it was exactly what its name suggests: a one-man operation working out of a single bay in an alley behind a couple of houses in Blaine.
That was in 1997.
Nearly three decades later, Alley Auto is still a locally owned business serving Blaine, Birch Bay and the surrounding area. For owner Rich Eacret, the business has gone through several chapters along the way, including the addition of a NAPA store, a move into a larger building and, most recently, a return to its original focus as a full-service automotive repair shop.
For Alley Auto, the latest change is less about becoming something new and more about putting the focus back where it started.
This feature is sponsored by Alley Auto Point S Tire & Auto Service, the official tire partner of PNW Daily.
The Story Behind The Name
When Eacret started Alley Auto in 1997, the business consisted of one shop bay tucked into an alley behind a couple of houses.
It was a one-person operation, as Eacret was starting out, he took a very local approach to customer service from the beginning.
If a customer couldn’t get their vehicle to the shop, Alley Auto would go get it. The vehicle would be brought back to the shop, repaired and returned to the customer.
That basic idea has remained part of the business nearly 30 years later.
“We have a vast array of people in Blaine and Birch Bay and for some it is hard for them to get around, or they don’t have the means to drop off their car and get a ride home. We help by offering to take customers home and vehicle pick up and drop off. There are not many shops that do that and to us this is part of being a community, we help each other out.”
Rich Eacret, Owner, Alley Auto Point S Tire & Auto Service
It is one of the ways the business says being a local shop matters.
From One Business To Two And Back Again
In 2005, an opportunity came along that changed the size and complexity of the business.
“In 2005, the NAPA store owner approached and asked if I wanted to buy the store, so I did,” Eacret said. “Having the store helped to get parts more efficiently and I was able to get cars fixed and provide parts to the DIYer’s of the Blaine/Birch Bay community.”
But operating two separate businesses also created challenges.
In 2009, Eacret built the building the business occupies today and moved the NAPA store into the same building as the repair shop.
Alley Auto continued to grow, adding technicians and other staff. But eventually, the two businesses began competing for time and attention, and Eacret eventually made a decision about which one mattered most.
Alley Auto.
In 2025, the NAPA store closed, allowing the business to concentrate on the automotive repair operation that had been its original passion.
A New Chapter With Point S
While the Point S name may be part of a newer chapter for Alley Auto’s local identity, tires have been part of the business for years.
“Blaine and Birch Bay have been growing and changing over the years. I felt it needed a complete auto-repair shop; a one stop shop for all your vehicle’s needs.”
Rich Eacret, Owner, Alley Auto Point S Tire & Auto Service
For customers, that means Alley Auto isn’t simply a tire shop.
The business describes itself as a one-stop shop capable of handling nearly every part of a vehicle, from what is under the hood to what is underneath the car and even the systems inside the dashboard.
“That’s something I have been striving for since I started Alley Auto,” he said.
The People Behind Alley Auto
This feature is sponsored by Alley Auto Point S Tire & Auto Service, the official tire partner of PNW Daily.
One of the things that stands out about Alley Auto is the experience behind the service counter and inside the shop.
Jay joined the business in 2014 after moving from Florida. He has more than 40 years of experience working on cars and trucks and has particular expertise with automotive air conditioning systems.
Steve has been with Alley Auto for about seven years. His experience ranges from 1913 Model T Fords to modern vehicles, giving him a particularly broad mechanical background.
Tim is the newest member of the mechanical team, but new to Alley Auto does not mean new to automotive work. He started working with mechanics when he was 12 and is now 61.
The front office has plenty of experience, too.
Wendy, the office manager, has more than 30 years of accounting experience and has been with Alley Auto since 2013.
John joined the business in 2019 as a service writer. He has worked in the automotive industry since he was a teenager, including 12 years with H&R Springs. One of his roles is helping customers understand what is happening with their vehicles and what the recommended repairs mean.
Colby joined the service-writing team in 2023. His background includes eight years with Les Schwab, giving him extensive experience with tires, suspension and alignments.
Together, the team brings more than 100 years of automotive experience to the shop.
“That is something that you just don’t see every day,” Eacret said. “That knowledge is priceless when it comes to fixing a complex problem on a vehicle.”
Keeping A Local Business Local
Eacret said Alley Auto’s reputation has largely been built through word of mouth. The business has only recently begun putting more effort into its online presence and social media.
The next step is finding more ways to connect with other local businesses and the community, including potential pop-up sales and employee discounts for local businesses.
Preventative maintenance is another part of that community approach.
The idea is simple: Finding a problem before it becomes a major failure can save money, prevent a breakdown and, most importantly, help keep people safe.
That is ultimately what Alley Auto wants its customers to feel when they leave the shop.
Not that they simply bought a tire or had a repair completed, but that someone local knows their vehicle, explained the problem and helped them get safely back on the road.
“I have a great team here, and Alley Auto would not be where it is today without them. We are not blood family, but we are family and I am very grateful for all of them.”
Rich Eacret, Owner, Alley Auto Point S Tire & Auto Service
The name has changed over the years.
The building is different.
But the idea behind Alley Auto remains remarkably close to where it started: Take care of the people in your community, take care of their vehicles and give them a reason to come back.
“When a customer comes to Alley Auto, we want them to feel confident that their vehicle is in good hands and that they feel safe when driving away,” Eacret said. “We want their visit to be stress free and we do that by communicating as often as we can along the way. By text, calling or email we try to keep the customer informed and help them make the best decision for their vehicle repairs.”
Frequently Asked Questions
PNW Daily brings you this feature in partnership with Alley Auto Point S Tire & Auto Service, the official tire partner of PNW Daily. Visit them at 365 D St in Blaine or call (360) 332-7018.
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