Kymm and Caleb Aldinger are one busy couple.

They have three kids, ages 4, 5, and 7, are licensed foster parents, volunteer their time for various community events and run their own business.

They opened the auto repair shop Allied Automotive just off Columbia Drive in Kennewick in 2011 with the help of a Benton-Franklin Council of Governments loan and this year they expanded the business to include car sales.

“Our expansion to sell vehicles has been one of our goals for the last three years,” Kymm Aldinger said. “The growth, success and sustainability of our service side has enabled Caleb and I to take the plunge to get our dealer’s license for used vehicles and hire a sales manager.”

The auto repair shop has five mechanics, including Caleb, a master certified mechanic for Volkswagen as well as Mercedes, though he can work on any kind of car, his wife said. Scott Lake is the general manager and service writer for the repair shop and Chris Taylor runs the new auto sales division.

The Aldingers, both 32, met while attending the same church in Seattle a decade ago. Caleb worked for a Volkswagen dealership and Kymm was attending Pierce College in Tacoma on a jazz scholarship. They’ve been married for nine years.

Caleb grew up in Montana and Kymm in Tri-Cities. She is the daughter of well-known area jazz musicians Frank and Debi Eng, who live in Kennewick. Kymm, a 2001 Southridge High grad, inherited her parents’ love of music. She also spent time in New York singing in clubs. But these days there isn’t much time for music, she said.

“I still sing every so often, mostly at church,” she said. “But Caleb and I have a very full life with our three kiddos and a business to run, so singing jazz isn’t a priority right now.

“What’s important to us is making our business thrive so our employees can make a decent living to take care of their families.”

The Aldingers’ new venture into selling cars is a risk worth taking, Kymm said.

“Having an established service department lends itself perfectly to selling used vehicles,” she said. “We offer extended warranty options, one complimentary oil change, and open, honest communication. And, we are committed to help people within our community find the right vehicle. And our goal is to build a reputation of doing honorable work for a reasonable price.”

Allied Automotive’s new dealership is at 726 N. Jean St. For more information, call 509-585-7777, visit alliedautotc.com or find them on Facebook.