Friday, Jan. 29, 2010
Parts shop re-establishes itself in town
Napa Auto Parts takes over on I Street
By Corey Pride
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ReprintK.C. Carroll spent a year searching for a location to open his fifth store.
Living in the Central Valley, he had passed through Los Baños many times on his way to other destinations. Carroll said what he discovered in the city was an agricultural community that could be beneficial for his company.
"One thing Los Baños has that I felt could make us successful is we're strong in the farm, heavy-duty and industrial markets," he said. "Farming is still strong in this market."
Last September Carroll took control of the building that used to be home to Pepper's Auto Parts. He kept the former business' employees, stocked his company's products in the store and re-established Napa Auto Parts in Los Baños on the 900 block of I Street.
Napa Auto Parts had a presence in Los Baños years ago. In the five months it has been back, Carroll said, customers have shown their gratitude.
"All the inventory was new. That's been a big comment by a lot of our customers, 'Hey, it's nice to see parts back in here,'" Carroll said.
Carroll is quick to tell you that running five stores from Clovis to Los Baños makes it imperative that he have good employees. He says hiring Pepper's former workers was among his best decisions.
"They're my success in the town, I just come here every now and then," Carroll said.
He's in Los Baños about once a week. He relies heavily on the managers at all five of his locations.
"My philosophy is I own the store but its your store to run. If we're going to be successful it's because of what you've done."
Carroll said in general the automotive parts businesses are feeling the impact of the recession the same as many other industries.
"In the automotive after-market you would think our business would be stronger because new car sales are down, people are keeping their cars longer to fix up," he said. "But what's happened is people just aren't fixing them like they should.
"I'm the same way if I go look at a pair of shoes or something. I say, 'You know what, I used to wear a pair of $100 work shoes, maybe I'll find a $50 pair. We're seeing that too, our business isn't down, but the type of merchandise our customers are buying is down."
Carroll has been in the industry since 1979. In his 31 years of experience competition has grown and the presence of technology has increased.
"Now we're selling more computers and electronic components than we are spark plugs," Carroll said.
Customer service is what Carroll believes will make Napa Auto Parts a long-term success in Los Baños.
"The No. 1 thing we have in this town - and I hear it from [customers saying] what it used to be like years ago -- is when you went to Napa they took care of you," Carroll said. "We are not the cheapest guy in town, our parts may not be any better here than anybody else's, but when you walk through the door I want you taken care of."
Enterprise staff writer Corey Pride can be reached at 388-6563 or cpride@losbanosenterprise.com