By Sara Beth Williams–
Tom Ngo, owner of TN3 Automotive, said he feels blessed every day to be able to drive to his recently purchased auto shop in Citrus Heights, despite the 50- to 60-minute commute.
TN3 Automotive was once known as Pat Henry’s Automotive, a small mechanic shop with four bays located on Auburn Boulevard next to the Aquarium Depot. Previously, The Sentinel reported in 2024 that the shop was up for sale by the owner due to retirement. Ngo officially purchased and opened the shop as TN3 Automotive in January of last year.
Ngo said he has worked in the automotive industry in various roles, from tech to service manager to store manager, since 2008 and most enjoyed the experience of working in smaller, what he called “Mom-and-Pop” auto shops.
Following his move to Elk Grove from the Bay Area, Ngo said he worked for a semi-small mechanic in Midtown, and while he enjoyed the experience, he wanted something more. After hopping around to several different types of auto shops, including some large and commercial companies, he began to feel the itch to own his own shop.
Before finding Pat Henry’s, he said he visited a lot of potential auto shops for sale but began to become discouraged.
Ngo said the day he sat down with Henry to discuss the possibility of buying Pat Henry’s Automotive, and after touring and meeting the mechanics, he fell in love with the small shop atmosphere.
“The first thing he said to me that day, right after the hello’s, was, ‘Let me tell you one thing, Tom, you have to take care of my customers.’ And that really resonated with me,” Ngo said. “That’s what I’m going to do; that’s what I do.”
Taking over the shop didn’t come without challenges. The previous owner didn’t market or advertise, and there was no “presence,” and the shop was on the decline. Ngo said he spent “so much money” on marketing just to create a presence, or awareness of the shop’s existence.
Ng0 said he has worked hard to rebuild trust with current returning customers who used to visit Pat Henry’s and, he acknowledged, were wary of the shop being taken over by someone new. He also emphasized he has worked hard to find and grow a new clientele.
“I don’t use scare tactics,” Ngo said, adding that he likes to ask customers how they use their car on a daily basis and will then be able to recommend services or repairs based on the customer’s driving habits. His motto is to “inform, educate, and let the customer make the choice.”
The construction along Auburn Boulevard as the city continues its Phase 2 of the Auburn Boulevard Complete Streets project presented some challenges, including parking lot access and customer confusion; however, Ngo has always maintained a positive attitude toward the infrastructure project.
The shop now has a new website where customers can book appointments as well as access information about the auto shop’s services. As for the new name, Ngo said the name represents 3 sets of identical initials: his initials, his wife’s initials, and his son’s initials.
