It was the coldest day of the new year, 15 degrees with a real-feel of 1 degree. Yet, there was a crowd, bundled in their coats and hats, on the corner of West Main Street and South Park Way. Posing, talking, taking pictures. What would bring so many people out when it was so cold? They came out to witness the unveiling of the new recipient of the Honorary Way Award. Next time you are there, have a seat on the cement bench, read the name. Here is the story.
Honorary Way was started a few years back through the Neighborhood Development Services, as a public way to temporarily honor distinguished citizens and good Samaritans whose efforts have benefited Ravenna. It has now become a collaborative effort with the ever-active Ravenna Chamber of Commerce. Anyone can nominate someone by visiting the Chamber’s website ravennaareachamber.com/honorary-way. Then, twice a year, the nominations are reviewed and the next honoree is chosen. All nominations remain on file with the chamber.
The ceremony, a bit late starting due to the weather, was held in the city council chamber at City Hall. The award went to Gary and Tricia Krause of Mongoose Motorsports. Sadly, Gary passed last year, but Tricia (known as Trish) bravely accepted on behalf of both of them. Ryann Kuchenbecker, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, gave a short speech to the 50+ person crowd. Mrs. Kuchenbecker told of the humbleness, the kindheartedness, the community spirit of the couple. The listener could tell how much Ryann agreed with this award!
Then Mayor Frank Seman spoke, sharing some anecdotes of Gary and Trish. He shared that of the couple and their businesses, Gary would always have his foot on the gas — full speed. Trish would cover the brake, always keeping cost in mind. Judging by the success of their business ventures, this is quite the winning combination.
Then Trish came to the podium, greeted with a standing ovation. Having recently lost her husband, the emotion was thick in her voice. The crowd was very deferential and respectful during this time. She thanked the Neighborhood Development Service, the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Ravenna; all had representatives to witness the event. Then she shared the story of Mongoose Motorsports. Most of the crowd knew much of the story, indeed many were family, employees or clients. Through her speech, the listener could tell that Gary was very much present in her heart.
Intrigued, this reporter made arrangements for an interview, as this story must be told. It is the story of the American Dream meets Covid. It is the story of a passion becoming a successful business, a story of love and loss, a story of strength and perseverance. Trish was gracious to arrange a private time at Mongoose Motorsports, and even gave me a private tour.
Gary Krause was born and raised in Bedford. Trish lived in Streetsboro. Classic car owners used to cruise ‘the Wall’ at the Bedford Metro Parks. Gary had a real nice 1967 Chevelle. She had a 1967 Chevelle that she built with her dad. The two met and the rest is history. (She still has her Chevelle!)
Mongoosemotor Sports is located on East Main, in the old Havre Chevrolet building. Business hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00am to 4:30pm. They are also available by appointment. As every employee is highly occupied in a large building, this isn’t the type of business to casually stroll into. Calling to make arrangements is always suggested. You can contact them through their website, mongoosemotorsports.com. They are also available on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter. Trish finds it difficult to keep up with all platforms, as there just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day, or days in the week for everything.
They never had an ‘opening day.’ They started small, a hobby that grew. Gary and Trish’s father, Larry Snyderburn, purchased 3 Corvette Grand Sport kits together. Their intent was to build one for each and the third was going to be sold to cover the cost of their builds. The former owner of Mongoose heard of Gary’s plans, and actually came out to see his builds, even offering Gary a job, many times. Trish, you remember-the one who covers the brakes, was not about to have Gary quit a good paying job to build race cars…but eventually the offer became so good that Gary couldn’t refuse. He quit his current job and went to work at Mongoose, building racecars. That happy arrangement lasted about three years, then the economy took a downturn. Mongoose had to be sold. We all remember 2008…
Gary had given up his career to work at Mongoose, and now it looked like he would be out of a job. Nope! The Krause couple purchased the business in late 2009, and purchased the building in 2010. Fittingly, it is the same building where Gary bought his first brand new Corvette in 1996! Gary was an enthusiastic Corvette owner — and they’re all enthusiastic — and in his words… “You have the original seat plastic off your car when it was delivered, and you have the window sticker, but I’ve got something nobody else has. I have the dealership that I ordered my car from!”
They didn’t have a typical opening day. After all, it was only Trish, Gary and two employees. All they did at the time was build their Mongoose Grand Sport Corvettes. As they became established in Ravenna, they discovered a need for restoration, repair, performance upgrades, paint and upholstery on classic cars. With the purchase of Portage Trim in 2015 they became a ‘One Stop Restoration Shop.’ So, they grew, and the two employees have grown to 11 employees, whom Trish calls her ‘Team.’ Gary and Trish have taken pride in taking care of their employees, and now the employees have stepped up to take care of Trish in the wake of Gary’s passing. She loves them — considering each and every one of them family.
The Quarantine of 2020 had such impact on many businesses that many are still feeling. Contrariwise, Mongoose Motorsports became busier than ever. It seems, while in quarantine, many people finally had time to get to their ‘projects.’ So, as the projects were taken as far as the novice could take them, the pros were then called. Their biggest challenge was getting parts, and it remains challenging today. So many vendors are short-handed, world-wide, that parts just aren’t available. Sometimes, they have to fabricate their own parts.
Business has been good for Mongoose. They love what they do, and they do a good job. Their customers do all of the advertising needed. Indeed, this reporter lost count of all the cars inside that huge building. All in various stages of rebuild. Some active, some waiting on parts. All safe and in a controlled and clean environment.
Have you ever enjoyed Octane Nights? Yearly, in August, Main Street would close down outside of Mongoose. Boasting the greatest variety of custom cars, tractors, and hot rods, Ravenna became the place to be for the biggest Cruise-In in the area. People came to the event from all over, even from Dubai! This was the brain child of Gary. It was held every year until 2019. 2020 did what 2020 did to all events…but Trish once again held it in 2021. Bigger and better than ever. She texted her friend at the Chamber, “it looks like I throw a bigger party than Gary.”
There are many aspects to the Mongoose Motorsports business. Does the average Ravenna citizen realize we have celebrity cars here? Trish and Gary sold a Grand Sport to NASCAR legend Ray Evernham in 2019. They had a Grand Sport appear on the Jay Leno Show. One of their Grand Sport Corvettes was featured in the movie ‘The Fate of the Furious”. Nine Grand Sports were in “The Fast Five” movie. Aaron Quine, professional race car driver, formerly raced their Grand Sport for them. There should be a star-studded Walk of Fame outside of their building. Perhaps a Roll of Fame would be more fitting.
Trish’s strength is palpable. She feels responsible for her Team of 11, and wants to make sure they can continue to support their families. Her guiding principle, comes from her first boss, who was like a grandpa to her. “Take a look around at the people you associate with. Look at the 5 closest friends that you spend time with. Are they good people that you are proud to call your friends? You are only as good as the people you associate with.” The past year has changed her life significantly, and changed her outlook. Every day that she can wake up and come to work, doing something she loves, is a gift. She is surrounded by many loving friends and has been supported by her community–some of whom she doesn’t even know personally. This year has changed many things for Trish. It has been one of survival. Working through the loss of her husband, father of her children and business partner was tough. Gary handled many of the aspects of the business that she had to learn, and quickly! They are busy and have a lot to look forward to in the upcoming years. Their next big car show is scheduled for August 3, 2022.
Back to Honorary Way, Trish had made sure to thank all that came by, inviting everyone to refreshments at Tavern 1888. Leaving there, I went back to get some pictures of the sign and bench. There, I met another friend of Trish’s. Citizens of this congressional district know her, former State Representative Randi Clites. We engaged in a discussion, she reminisced about her friendship with Trish. Trish was Randi’s first boss, at Cleveland Punch and Die in 1997. Randi agrees, the award is most fitting.
Do you know a good Samaritan? Someone who has made Ravenna a better place to live and work? Be sure to go to ravennaareachamber.com/honorary way and nominate them.
