What started as a small Midlothian auto repair business in 2017 has grown into two family-owned shops, including one in Frankfort. After several positive experiences as a customer, I reached out to owners Lina and Anwar (Angel) Herrera to learn about the family, the history and the approach behind A Plus Auto Service.
Finding a mechanic you trust isn't always easy.
Most of us aren't automotive experts. When something goes wrong with our vehicles, we're relying on someone else to explain the problem, recommend the right repair, and charge us fairly.
That's one of the reasons I wanted to share the story behind A Plus Auto Service in Frankfort.
I've personally visited the shop several times, including recently for a tire issue, and I've always felt I was treated fairly. Nothing complicated. Just a good experience with a local business.
After recommending A Plus to someone on Facebook, I decided to reach out to the owners to learn more about their story.
And it turns out there's quite a bit more to A Plus than fixing cars.
Lina and Angel Herrera at A Plus Auto Service in Frankfort. Photo courtesy of Lina Herrera.
From High School Sweethearts to Business Owners
Lina Herrera and Anwar, who also goes by Angel, have known each other since they were 15 years old.
They were high school sweethearts long before they became business partners.
In 2017, they opened their first A Plus Auto Service location in Midlothian.
According to Lina, they started with big dreams but very little money.
They kept working, reinvesting in the business, and building what they had started.
That eventually led them to open their second location in Frankfort in 2024.
Today, Lina and Angel operate both shops, and they're considering where the business could go next.
The Midlothian location, where the A Plus Auto Service story began in 2017. Photo courtesy of Lina Herrera.
Making Auto Repair a Better Experience
One of the things that stood out to me while learning about A Plus was the importance Lina places on how customers are treated.
Auto repair can be intimidating, especially when you don't understand what's wrong with your vehicle or whether a recommended repair is really necessary.
Lina has emphasized the importance of creating an environment where customers feel comfortable asking questions, receive understandable explanations, and don't feel pressured into decisions.
That includes women who may have had uncomfortable or frustrating experiences dealing with repair shops in the past.
It's an approach centered on trust rather than just the next repair.
And from my own experience at the Frankfort shop, I've appreciated the way I've been treated.
Of course, every customer's experience can be different. But my positive experiences were enough to make me curious about the people behind the business.
Inside the Frankfort shop, where customers can look into the service area from the waiting space. Photo courtesy of Lina Herrera.
The Next Generation Is Already Involved
There's another part of the A Plus story that makes it especially interesting.
Lina and Angel's children have grown up around the business.
Their teenage daughter helps at the front desk after school and on weekends when her schedule allows. She's learning customer service and seeing firsthand what running a business involves.
Their younger son has been fascinated with cars since he was little. He enjoys spending time at the shop and learning from the technicians.
For Lina and Angel, the business has become something the entire family participates in.
That gives their slogan, "Your Family's Mechanic," a little more meaning.
It's not simply a marketing phrase. It's a reflection of the family behind the business.
The next generation is already developing an interest in the automotive business. Photo courtesy of Lina Herrera.
Could Another A Plus Location Be Coming?
After growing from one location to two, Lina says they're exploring the possibility of opening a third A Plus Auto Service.
Nothing has been formally announced, and they're not ready to disclose a potential location.
But she did share that they're interested in continuing to grow within communities surrounding Frankfort.
For now, the business operates in Midlothian and Frankfort.
Why I Wanted to Share Their Story
There are plenty of businesses around the southwest suburbs doing good work without getting much attention.
Sometimes the reason to highlight one is straightforward: you had a good experience, you appreciated how you were treated, and you wanted other people to know about it.
That's how this story started.
But learning about Lina and Angel's journey, from teenagers who knew each other at 15 to building a business with two locations and involving their own children, made it more interesting.
A Plus Auto Service is a reminder that behind many of the local businesses we drive past every day, there's a family and a story we may know very little about.
And those are stories worth sharing.
I'm always interested in the people and businesses behind the southwest suburbs. Send me a suggestion here.
About A Plus Auto Service
Frankfort location
20250 S. LaGrange Road
Frankfort, IL 60423
Midlothian location
3704 W. 147th Street
Midlothian, IL
Visit A Plus Auto Service in Frankfort online
- Lina and Angel Herrera opened their first A Plus Auto Service location in Midlothian in 2017.
- The family expanded the business into Frankfort in 2024.
- The owners emphasize a welcoming, understandable auto repair experience for customers, including women who may feel intimidated at repair shops.
- Both of their children have been involved in the family business.
- The owners are considering a third location but have not announced one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns A Plus Auto Service?
Lina Herrera and Anwar (Angel) Herrera own the Frankfort and Midlothian locations.
When did A Plus Auto Service open in Frankfort?
The Frankfort location opened in 2024. The original Midlothian business opened in 2017.
Is A Plus Auto Service opening another location?
The owners say they're considering a third location in the surrounding south suburbs, but no site or opening date has been announced.
Sources & Reporting
- Direct correspondence with A Plus Auto Service co-owner Lina Herrera, October 2026.
- Personal experiences visiting the Frankfort shop, including a recent tire visit.
- A Plus Auto Service Frankfort official website.
Reporting note: This is an independently written RaysGuide local business spotlight, not paid or sponsored content. Business history and family information came from correspondence with co-owner Lina Herrera. Statements about the customer experience reflect my own visits, not a guarantee of anyone else's experience.