Mike’s 31-year history in business all began with a dream for his family’s future and a little, old shop on Jenkins Street, in Summerside Prince Edward Island at the start of 1990. After a few months in business, he was presented with an opportunity to operate a Petro-Canada located on Water Street in downtown Summerside. Mike was never one to shy away from risk, and so he took a chance.
In the fall of 1990, Mike opened the doors of Hicken’s Petro Canada and ran two small service bays, 4 gas pumps and a tow truck. Mike and his trusted friend and lead mechanic, Aubin Arsenault, looked after the mechanical work in the bays, while Jeremy Raynor and Mike’s wife, Debbie Hicken, looked after the fuel pumps.
Mike operated Hicken’s Petro Canada until the early 2000’s when eventually, they outgrew the small shop on Water Street, next to what is now, Dino’s Pizzeria. This was a pivotal crossroad for Mike, his team and his family, as he would be stepping away from a national fuel franchise relationship to set out on his own, with little more than his reputation and the support and confidence of the people around him who counted on him to make the right decisions.
When it was all said and done, their gamble paid off and the new and current location which Mike purchased at 626 South Drive began to flourish. What was before a small gas bar with two service bays evolved into 3 service bays, a booming tire business and most recently a successful used auto sales lot.
Never one to rest on his laurels, while Mike and his team were building the automotive businesses, he set his sights on his next opportunity to learn and plan for his family’s future by getting his School Bus Driver’s Licence, and to this day, he still starts his mornings and ends his afternoons by getting our kids safely to and from school.
Mike is a hard worker, who loves to laugh and enjoy life, and he instilled this work ethic and positive attitude into his employees over the years, many of whom have gone on to start their own businesses. When Aubin retired, Jeremy Raynor took his place as Shop Manager and Lead Mechanic. You’ll notice at the shop there are always a few young apprentices learning the craft, as Mike has long been a supporter of high school work placement programs and college internships.
Mike is a big supporter of his neighbours’ businesses and his community. Children related causes, such as Buy-a-Backpack for back to school, children’s sports programs, Touch-a-Truck, Gen XX activities, and the Boys & Girls Club just to mention a few are very close to his heart.
Mike now has four employees, Jeremy Rayner (Shop Manager), Monty Warren (Mechanic Technician), Mikey Ramsay (Mechanic Technician) and Darlene Pye (Office and Accounting Manager). Mike spends time in the shop, but prefers now to handle the day to day customer interactions and car sales. After all, it is Mike’s care and kindness towards his customer’s that set him on the path of success that’s now lasted over 30 years.