SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — Silverlake Automotive announced July 9 it has acquired Northwest Automotive, the independent repair shop that has served the Spokane Valley community for more than two decades. The deal gives Silverlake its sixth location, its first presence in Washington state and its first acquisition since joining the Straightaway family of brands earlier this year.
Local continuity, regional growth
Northwest Automotive, long known in the community for its reputation for dependable workmanship and customer care, will be folded into Silverlake’s growing regional network. The shop has operated for over 20 years under owner Jim Lambert, serving generations of local families in Spokane Valley. In announcing the sale, Lambert said finding the right successor was a priority and that he chose a buyer aligned with the shop’s values.
"Finding the right successor for our business was incredibly important. Silverlake shares our commitment to quality work, integrity, and taking care of people. By choosing them, we are continuing our legacy while also becoming part of a growing organization that remains deeply committed to local ownership and customer relationships."
What Silverlake says and where it came from
Silverlake traces its roots in the Inland Northwest to a single shop the company’s founders bought in Coeur d'Alene in 2003. The business grew from that first location into a multi-site operation now spanning Idaho and Washington. Company founders Will and Rebecka Sando are cited as having built the business from modest beginnings — with Rebecka handling front-counter duties and Will working in the shop — and emphasize principles of honesty, integrity and customer care that the company says will continue at the acquired Spokane Valley location.
Immediate implications for Spokane Valley residents
The acquisition signals a few practical outcomes for local customers and employees:
- Existing customers should expect continuity of service, with Silverlake indicating a commitment to maintain local relationships and standards.
- Employees at the Spokane Valley shop may gain access to regional resources and systems used by Silverlake across its locations.
- The deal extends Silverlake’s footprint into Washington, potentially increasing competition among area repair shops and providing customers a new regional option for maintenance and repairs.
Company footprint and facts
Public information provided with the announcement includes the following details.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Acquired business | Northwest Automotive (Spokane Valley) |
| Buyer | Silverlake Automotive |
| Significance | Silverlake's 6th location; first in Washington; first deal since joining Straightaway |
| Founders cited | Will and Rebecka Sando (original location in Coeur d'Alene, 2003) |
The announcement frames the transaction as both a preservation of a locally trusted business and a step in Silverlake’s measured regional expansion. For many Spokane Valley residents who rely on long-standing local mechanics, the sale is positioned as a continuity move rather than a closure or abrupt change.
Local customers with specific concerns about service, staffing or warranties should contact the Spokane Valley location directly for details about any operational changes, while area automotive businesses may watch how the acquisition influences pricing and service options in the months ahead.
