LOCAL LEGENDS ADVERTISING FEATURE
It was on the strength of its reputation that Barrie Richards Auto Repairs at 801 Pollen St, Thames, was invited to join the nationwide Auto Super Shoppes network last year.
Owner Barrie Richards said that as part of its new chapter, the business also refreshed its name to Auto Super Shoppe Thames.
Even though the name on the building was new, everything else has remained the same – including the friendly team of technicians, Nancy (Barrie’s mum) in the office, and the top tier customer service.
“It’s almost been nine or ten months since I joined the Auto Super Shoppe group. You still own your business, but you’re part of a nationwide group of garages. There’s about 120 of us,” the local legend told The Profile.
“The business model has been going for twenty years. It’s an invite-only thing. You have to be asked to join, and they only ask businesses that have been in business for a while and have a good reputation.”
Barrie’s shop was identified and selected by Auto Super Shoppes as a premium workshop in the area, trusted for their high standards, skilled workmanship and outstanding service.
The trusted mechanic said the collaboration was “really good for us” for a multitude of reasons.
“I’ve had customers that have either shifted out of the district or they’re looking at buying a vehicle out of the district, or they’ve faced vehicle troubles while in another area.”
Barrie now said he can recommend any one of the Auto Super Shoppes out of town to assist people. “It’s a good group of people. I’ve met quite a few of the owners. Whangamatā is the closest one to us here, [then] there’s one in Morrinsville, and one in Whitianga,” he said.
“It’s just handy being part of something like that.”
Looking after cars is something Barrie has always been passionate about.
He first rolled open the doors to his shop as a new business in Cochrane St in 1999, and after 11 years shifted into their current building in the main street.
“I was 28 when I started by myself and it was all just by default really. I finished my mechanic apprenticeship and did several years at another couple of jobs. And then I decided to open up a workshop and it just kind of grew from there.”
He said his team slowly grew from one staff member, to two, to his current team of five – four technicians including himself, and his mum in the office.
Barrie said he couldn’t do it without his staff.
“It’s just been a slow, steady kind of growth.”
It should go without saying, Barrie said, that he and his trusty team were grateful to the community for their unwavering support across the years.
“I’ve had and have a really cool bunch of clients over the years. A lot of them have been with me from the start,” he said.
“I’m proud to have been in business this long.”
– By Davidda Hikatangata
