Who We Are
KB's Auto Lab is a full-service mechanic shop serving customers in Herrin, Illinois and surrounding areas. We rely on community support and happy customers to help grow our small business. That's why we do our best to give back to the community, sponsoring Herrin Youth Sports and volunteering to coach year after year. It hasn't always been easy, but quality work and family-like relationships have helped us maintain KB's Auto Lab for the last 60 years.
1960 - Jack’s Brake Shop was established by Jack Essick at 1620 North 14th Street in Herrin, Illinois
- Jack Essick and his son Robert (Bob) Essick grew the business, built on honest work and reliable service
1979 - Bob and his wife Kim Essick purchased the brake shop from Bob’s father and renamed the business to reflect the extended services offered
- KB’s Auto Lab became a full-service mechanic shop, famous for their diagnostic testing that began their "We Test, Not Guess" motto
1999 - Shaun Essick joined his father working at the shop as the primary mechanic
2019 - KB’s Auto Lab moved to a larger facility located at 2218 N. Park Avenue in downtown Herrin, just down the road from where it all started
2020 - Shaun Essick purchased KB’s Auto Lab and will continue to offer the same great service and reliable repairs that every family deserves
