Gary Veteri wants to retire within a year, but has no plan on leaving La Ronge. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

milestone

Veteri celebrates 20 years in business with retirement coming in 2022

Dec 6, 2021 | 12:49 PM

MacGiver’s Pine Auto Care owner Gary Veteri is celebrating 20 years of business in La Ronge.

On Friday, he hosted a small come and go event at his shop with cake, pizza and other desserts to mark the special occasion. Veteri opened the business in 2001 and since then it was grown from a small two-bay garage to five bays in a modern facility with a full line of services.

“I was up in the mines and doing construction work in northern Saskatchewan and I just wanted to stay home more often,” he said. “I figured the town could use another shop, so we opened up the business and we went to work.”

In the early days, services were basic consisting of oil changes and cleaning cars. Now, customers can expect much more with wheel alignments, engine swaps and transmission work all being offered. There is also a tow truck division with plans for expansion.

In the next six to 12 months, however, Veteri is planning on retiring and handing the business down to his son-in-law Kurtis Kenney. Veteri noted he decided to operate MacGiver’s Pine Auto Care as long as he did because of the customers.

respected leader

LLRIB announces death of former chief

33m ago

space exploration

Jeremy Hansen challenges future generations to break new Artemis record

45m ago

WestJet to add surcharge to some bookings and combine flights due to fuel costs

5h ago

The shop expanded about 12 years ago to make room for more bays, office space and a customer waiting room. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

“The friendly people. The slow attitude of up here,” he said. “Nobody is in a really big hurry compared to the cities. And the open air, the fresh air up here.”

Kenney, who has relocated from Saskatoon, has been in La Ronge for about one month. He’s currently learning the operations from Veteri and he’s excited for what the future holds.

“I like La Ronge,” Kenney said. “I really like it. It’s a beautiful town.”

–

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno