Northside News

By Lauri Lee
Northside Economic Development Coalition

Oscar Hernandez, owner and mechanic of Oscar’s Auto Repair LLC, goes the extra mile to ensure happy customers by providing good auto service at an affordable price. He specializes in servicing foreign and domestic cars and because of his expertise, local Honda, Chevy and hybrid car dealers refer customers to him. “Customers are from a 25 mile radius of Madison, and some come from as far away as Janesville, Rockford, Milwaukee and Minnesota,” said Hernandez. 

The secret to his booming business is to provide the best service to the customer and fixing only what needs fixed. Fluent in Spanish and English, he talks with the customer to explain what needs fixed right away and the cost, and what repairs can wait until they can budget for it. A fast turnaround that is typically two days helps them get back on the road again as quickly as possible. 

Hernandez has operated his business at 2518 Packers Avenue -B- for seven years. To get your car serviced, stop in, email oscarautorepair1973@yahoo.com or call 608-333-5332. 

By Lauri Lee
Northside Economic Development Coalition

Customers refer new customers to Capital Auto Clinic “because they treat you right.” People often come to buy a car for themselves and then send over the rest of their family until they all own one of the cars. There are typically 50 cars on the lot at any given time that includes Toyota, Honda, Suburu and Nissan models. 

The attraction? “We’re the home of the $3,995 used car,” said co-owner Wayne Heron. “We meticulously inspect the car because safety is important to us. I just think of my three daughters and provide the type of safe car every family wants for those they love. I can’t make the cars new again, but I can make them safe. All of the vehicles come with a warranty, but if a Capital Auto Clinic buyer has any squeaky need down the road, they can bring it here to be repaired at $60 an hour instead of the $100-plus they’d pay elsewhere. The cars are also thoroughly cleaned since there is only one chance to make a good first impression with a potential buyer where they say ‘this car will be mine.’” Cars with lower mileage are also available at the lot with price points of up to $9,995. 

Capital Auto Clinic LLC has been at located at 2412 and 2418 Packers Avenue since September 2014 and is co-owned by Wayne Heron and Tim Loomans. If the business name sounds familiar, it is because Heron co-owned the business for about 10 years when it was located on North Sherman Avenue in the space now occupied by Dutch’s Auto Service. Inspired by their Christian faith, the owners give back to the community and donate to The River Food Pantry, Care Net, Community Support Network and to veterans. 

If you’re looking for a reliable and affordable used car, stop to see what’s on the lot at Capital Auto Clinic located near the airport turnoff on the Packers Avenue curve where the road intersects with Elka Lane. Since the inventory is constantly changing, it is best to check it out at CapitalAutoClinic.com. For questions, call 608-467-2284. 

By Lauri Lee
Northside Economic Development Coalition

Getting a roofing business off the ground involves more than knowing how to replace a roof or fix a leak — there’s also the business side of things that need to be done well. For Ismael Melchor-Zamora and Michelle Zamora, owners of Zamora Roofing LLC, it’s about sharing the responsibilities of operating the business. Melchor-Zamora is bonded, insured and certified in the state of Wisconsin as a roofer to install residential asphalt shingles. He prides himself on doing an excellent job to ensure happy customers while Michelle Zamora manages the appointments and insurance audits, homeowner questions and concerns, and the financial and tax side of the business. 

Melchor-Zamora was born in Mexico and 15 years ago, he moved to the U.S. and became a permanent resident in June 2016. He’s lived in Madison for the past eight years. His lifelong dream was to start his own business so he started by working as a roofer for other companies. He started Zamora Roofing in April 2017 and now as owner, he lines up the jobs, and works side by side with subcontractors to ensure a quality roof for a residential home, which is his specialty. He works on new construction, reroofing, roof repair, and roofs needing repair due to hail and wind damage. 

“I get my satisfaction of working truthfully and honestly to keep homeowners happy and provide peace of mind that the job has been done correctly the first time,” said Melchor-Zamora. “Most of the roofing jobs are on the east and Northside of Madison, but I do roofing anywhere in the city.” 

To contact Zamora Roofing LLC for your roofing needs or a free estimate, visit Facebook or call 608-698-5092. 

By Dana Spychalla
Ascendium Education Group

The East Madison Community Center (EMCC), located just off Wright Street near Madison College’s Truax campus, provides programming to more than 7,000 individuals each year. With a lean staff of three full-time employees and eight part-timers, the center relies heavily on support from volunteers and local businesses.

“The EMCC must have support from Northside businesses and the more than 300 volunteers that come through our doors each year,” said De’Kendrea Stamps, EMCC’s assistant director. “Without their help, we would not be able to provide such comprehensive programming.”

EMCC has been a staple in the community for more than 50 years and is a vital resource for many Northside families. The center provides afterschool programs and a weekly food pantry open to the public on Tuesdays. EMCC also provides job skills training and access to a computer lab for adults looking to further their careers. 

Ascendium Education Group has a strong tradition of supporting Northside nonprofits, so when EMCC reached out to Ascendium asking for help, the company answered the call. Throughout the year, Ascendium employees have been volunteering at EMCC as part of the Ascendium Cares Volunteer Time Off (VTO) program. Employees receive eight hours of VTO each year to volunteer at local nonprofits of their choice. So far this year, Ascendium employees have used more than 110 VTO hours helping EMCC achieve its mission.

Ascendium volunteers have pitched in at EMCC in a variety of ways, including tutoring, staffing the food pantry and performing data entry. 

“I personally wanted to help out at EMCC because I had been there before and had positive experiences,” said Tiffany Hastings, an Ascendium loan counselor who recently volunteered at the center with a group of seven co-workers. “They always keep you busy and you feel like it really benefits people in your community.”

Stamps said EMCC’s greatest volunteer need is for the food pantry, which is particularly suitable for larger groups of volunteers from area companies. The center also needs help each week preparing snacks for students attending afterschool programming and to staff their monthly adult/senior bingo game.

“EMCC is the perfect place to get to know your neighbors, build up our community and strengthen connections,” said Stamps.

A list of volunteer opportunities is available at eastmadisoncc.org/volunteer.