Decades of dedication: How a family-owned business thrives in North Idaho
By Taylor Shillam
Northwest Autobody has been a cornerstone in north Idaho since 1976, delivering top-notch technical expertise and unwavering commitment to the community. Eric Donenfeld discusses how this family business has thrived through decades of growth, emphasizing their dedication to quality, community involvement, and family values.
Q. How did your upbringing in Sandpoint influence your educational and professional journey?
A. Growing up in Sandpoint, my brother and I were fortunate to learn life’s valuable lessons from our father, Mel. He instilled in us the importance of business ethics and the golden rule. Both Cory and I left for college but felt a strong desire to return home. Today, we raise our families in the community that shaped our values.
Q. What is your current position at Northwest Autobody?
A. Cory and I are proud to co-own the business, continuing the legacy our father started. We believe in shared leadership, so we rotate as president of the company every few years. This approach allows us to bring fresh ideas while staying true to our core values as we oversee the shops.
Q. How did Northwest Autobody start, and how has it grown?
A. Our journey began in 1976 with our father, Mel, who founded Northwest Autobody with a focus on collision repair. His commitment to quality repairs and exceptional customer service quickly made the Michigan Street shop a local staple. Nearly a decade ago, Cory and I took over the business and saw an opportunity to expand. We added a new facility in Ponderay, which is a successful venture. Both shops have continued to grow, with multiple renovations to meet increasing demand. About a year ago, we expanded to Bonners Ferry, acquiring a successful shop, Accurate Northwest. It’s been an exciting journey of growth and community impact.
Q. What have you enjoyed most about being in a family business?
A. Family is the keyword here. It is a family business. Family is at the heart of everything we do. Watching our dad, we learned that our business extends beyond our immediate family to our employees and customers. Treating everyone like family ensures we never lose sight of what’s important. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our children grow up in the same town we did, surrounded by the same values and community spirit.
Q. Please tell us how Northwest Autobody is involved in the local community, including giving to the Bonner County Food Bank.
A. Community involvement is a cornerstone of our business. For the past eight years, we’ve partnered with the Bonner County Food Bank through our Deervember program, raising over $20,000 to help local families in need. This initiative is a collaborative effort supported by long-time donors like Washington Trust and AGE Heating and Cooling. For every animal strike in November, we donate $50 to the Food Bank, raising awareness and providing much-needed support. Our partnership with the Food Bank and Debbie Love reminds us that we can all make a difference together.
Q. How has Northwest Autobody grown and expanded over the years, and what services can it provide the community today? How many employees were there at the opening compared to today?
A. Except for maintaining our core values, almost everything about our company has grown over the past nearly 50 years. We’re constantly updating our procedures and holding monthly meetings to ensure we’re always at the top of our game. Today, we employ the industry's best repair technicians and painters, supported by state-of-the-art equipment, industry certifications, and world-class paint facilities. What started with just our father as the sole employee has grown into a team of 36 dedicated professionals, all working together to provide exceptional service to our community.
Q. Northwest Autobody seems involved with almost every event and good thing going on around the area. What charities or activities do you support/give back to?
A. Giving back is a core principle for us. We’re deeply involved with the Food Bank, Business Network International (BNI), and Sandpoint Rotary, which does incredible work with local scholarships and reading programs. Our business networking group has made a huge difference in our community, providing valuable leads and tips for its members. We also support local soccer organizations and high school and club wrestling. We are active members of the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce. Anytime a nonprofit group asks for donations, we support them.
Q. What do you enjoy most about being a part of the local community?
A. Being a hometown, locally-owned business comes with a great sense of responsibility and pride. We stand behind everything we do because our customers are often our friends, relatives, or someone we know through the community. The Golden Rule isn’t just a saying for us; it’s how we operate. We’re all in this together, with hundreds of other small businesses, and we’re committed to supporting each other. The pandemic reinforced the importance of sticking together, and we’re proud to positively influence our community.
Q. What is most rewarding about the work you do?
A. It is simply the satisfaction of a job well done. Nothing beats the feeling of hitting it out of the park, knowing our customer is thrilled and spreading the word. We love positive Google reviews that are fun to read and act as word-of-mouth advertising. We take great pride in attracting great employees and allowing them to provide for their families.
Q. Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
A. It’s an honor to live and work in such a beautiful place, surrounded by a community that values quality, trust, and family. Every day, we’re reminded of the trust our customers place in us to repair their vehicles safely and correctly. We know that no one ever wants to have an accident, but when it happens, we do everything we can to ease the burden. This means treating our customers with respect, keeping them informed, honoring our commitments, and often making new friends along the way.
Northwest Autobody
Sandpoint Location
1305 Michigan St., Sandpoint, ID
208.263.6931
Ponderay Location
1202 Triangle Dr., Ponderay, ID
208.265.9999
Bonners Ferry Location
6818 Denver St., Bonners Ferry, ID
208.267.2432
