Shop Name: Red’s Quick Lube
Location: Swainsboro, Georgia
Owners: Carmon and Dustin Lewis
Bay Count: 3 (2 indoor bays, 1 outdoor bay)
Average Daily Car Count: 75
After nearly two decades of being in the quick lube industry, Dustin Lewis had ideas for his own automotive shop that he brought to fruition in 2023 with the opening of Red’s Quick Lube in Swainsboro, Georgia. Dustin’s partner, Carmon Lewis, operates the business alongside him, starting the business from scratch and bringing it to a shop averaging 4.8 stars on Google Reviews.
With its iconic name and striking red exterior, Red’s Quick Lube has also thrived in its community due to its warm, welcoming atmosphere. In this conversation with Carmon, NOLN is offered an inside look at the Lewises’ shop.
Sculpting a Vision
When Carmon and her partner Dustin took over the building, it needed some work done to accommodate their operations as a quick lube. Having been a former gas station, they removed the existing gas pumps outside, but retained the awning covering the pumps. The black roof now provides shelter for customers to wait outside with benches to sit on.
“Customers sit out there because the weather's pretty nice in Georgia most of the time,” says Carmon.
Additionally, the bathrooms were originally outdoors, but were incorporated into the building, which was also entirely repainted. The building’s distinct red-and-black color scheme helps customers identify the shop, named after Dustin’s nickname, Red. The existing lobby was also added after they took over the building.
Inside the building, customers will usually be greeted by a staff member at the desk. Windshield wipers, drinks, and even branded T-shirts can be found inside, with a TV playing music in the background.
A Space for Stellar Service
Changes made to the building after Carmon and Dustin took over also included the installation of a pit in the floor, which was the greatest challenge to overcome for the business before opening. The shop floor is spacious and wide, with tire machines on one side and the pit for oil changes on the other.
Equipment used includes a specialized sticker machine, OBD2 scanners, and a computer for use out on the shop floor. In addition to the building’s two bays, there is an outside bay within the property’s expansive lot for performing tire work.
“We do all our tire work mainly on the lot,” describes Carmon. “It’s like a big open lot, but we
About the Author
Kacey Frederick
Assistant Editor
Kacey Frederick joined as the assistant editor of NOLN in 2023 after graduating from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith with a bachelor’s in English and a minor in philosophy. The grandchild of a former motorcycle repair shop owner, he’s undergone many trials and tribulations with vehicles. Now the proud owner of a reliable 2011 Toyota Camry, he works to represent those in the service industry that keep him and so many others safely rolling on.