The Tranny Shop opened for business at its new location today.

The shop moved a few blocks from its old location at 501 First Ave. SW to 801 First Ave. SW, the old Whalen’s Auto building.

Co-owner Spencer Medgaarden said the new shop features four hoists, compared to two at the old shop.

“We’re going to be able to get more done,” said Spencer, who co-owns the Tranny Shop with his brother, Scott.

Transmissions aren’t usually a quick fix. That’s mainly because they often have to start work on a car and then wait for parts to be shipped in. With more hoists, the shop will be able to complete more work on transmissions, and Spencer said they’ll be able to do more general car repair work as well.

Though the highly visible spot on the corner of First Avenue and Fourth Street was tough to leave, Spencer said the new site offers about double the space.

“More room outweighed the location on the corner,” he said.

Though Spencer said some people have asked if they rebuilt the old Whalen’s building, he said they just gave it a facelift, adding insulation, sidewalls and new LED lights, along with other upgrades.

“Everything turned out great,” Spencer said.

Spencer was glad to have the building looking like new.

“I’m just glad we were able to take it and turn it something nice [and] clean looking,” he said.

The Medgaarden family also owns and operates Southwest Sales.

The old Tranny Shop is set to become the new home of Legacy Comics, which is vacating Oak Park Mall ahead of the pending sale of the mall or Hy-Vee.