Company celebrates 20 years on the right track BY TAMMY MCKILLIP Correspondent TAMMY MCKILLIP Fastrak Oil & Lube, Middletown, has been owned and operated by the Barradale family for two decades. MIDDLETOWN - There have been a lot of changes along Route 36 since 1987, but Fastrak Oil & Lube in Middletown has remained a constant for local residents. This year, the family-owned auto service shop is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and the store's longtime employees aren't surprised at the success or longevity of the business. "Mike keeps the place well," said Port Monmouth resident Cathy Rogers, who has worked the front desk for 13 years. "It's great to come to. It's very nice and clean. The workers are conscientious about their jobs, and if the customer has any problems, he doesn't hesitate to handle the problem and try to straighten it out with the customer. His policy is that the customer's always right." Rogers said her bosses, Mike and Valerie Barradale, first opened their doors in a rented shop down the road from their present location. Their aim was to provide a family-friendly environment, as well as conscientious and courteous service. When they moved to their present location eight years ago, they built a playroom and stocked it with toys, games and child-sized seating so that parents wouldn't have to worry about keeping the kids entertained while the family car was being serviced. "The kids' area was his wife's idea," she said. "She figured it would be good to have someplace for people to bring their children so that the toys wouldn't be in the showroom, and people wouldn't have to step over everything." Rogers said the kids' area has two wagons filled with toys, blocks and storybooks, as well as a 25-cent pinball machine that gives out bouncy balls for a prize. "Out in back, we have a swing with chairs and a table, and we also have a picnic table with umbrellas for people who want to sit in the shade," she said. "In front, we also have chairs if you want to sit outside. There's no smoking inside the building, only outside." Rogers said the shop has a soda machine and offers free coffee, candy and popcorn to customers, who wait an average of 15-20 minutes for the Grand Prix oil change, which costs $31.99 and includes five quarts of oil and a 25-point check. According to Rogers, reliable service and friendly ambiance aren't the only reasons for Fastrak's loyal customer clientele. In the past two decades, the Barradales have earned a reputation as community philanthropists, hosting frequent fundraisers and donating on a regular basis to local charitable causes. Rogers said the Barradales, who live in Atlantic Highlands, still occasionally work at the shop, with Valerie covering the front desk when a worker is out sick and Mike is working on cars. For the most part, though, the store is run by employees, some of which have worked there for a decade. Rogers said another reason Fastrak's customers keep coming back is because they don't feel pressured by the employees to perform unnecessary services on their cars. "Our guys are well trained, and Mike does not allow them to pressure the customer about things that have to get done. He'll tell them if it doesn't have to be done, and he's up front about everything that has to be done on the car. He's also very particular about how the guys look and how they're dressed, and he supplies them with uniforms. It's just a nice, friendly place to come." Fastrak Oil & Lube is located at 98 Route 36 in Middletown. For more information, call (732) 787-0797.