Genuine Auto Glass comes to Pacific Avenue
A longtime auto glass repairman has teamed with another business to fill a vacancy in Lacey.
The repairman and business owner is John Pazar, 47, who knows a thing or two about auto glass because he has worked off and on in the auto glass industry for 26 years, even starting his own business, Clear View Auto and Window Glass.
The longtime vacancy was at 4207 Pacific Ave. until Pazar teamed up with another auto glass business and converted his former operation into a Genuine Auto Glass.
That partnership was struck in July, and before the month was over he was open for business.
“I always wanted this spot,” he said about the 4207 address, saying it offers much more visibility than his previous site for Clear View, which was tucked away in an L-shaped building.
Not only is the storefront exposed to a wide swath of Pacific Avenue, but it also has an ocean of parking and faces a street signal, likely meaning a right-hand turn into his business will be that much easier as traffic slows for the light.
The business also injects some life into a site that had been vacant since 2010 after Boulevard Checkered Flag Auto Service and Repairs closed, according to city of Lacey data.
But in April, the Lacey City Council unanimously approved a conditional use permit for the site, paving the way for Genuine Auto Glass.
The site has been home to an automotive repair shop since the 1960s, according to city data.
Now, all that’s left is for Pazar to run the business, something that should be easier than when he was on his own.
One thing that appealed to him about joining forces with Genuine Auto Glass and its chain of stores is that he can focus on customers and the work at hand while Genuine handles the behind-the-scenes aspects of the business.
He acknowledged that it was tough to be an independent operator and welcomes the chance to work with Genuine.
Working in the auto glass business for 26 years has taught him to follow the golden rule when it comes to customers, and to avoid the trap of sacrificing quality for quantity.
“Our only incentive is to get it right,” Pazar said.
Genuine Auto Glass
Owner/manager: John Pazar.
Years in business: About six years with his previous business, Clear View Auto and Window Glass, and then Pazar formed a partnership with Genuine Auto Glass in July.
Type of business: Repairs auto glass, windshields, chips in glass and power windows.
Location: 4207 Pacific Ave. SE Lacey.
Employees: Two.
Online: genuineautoglass.com.
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays.
Advice to business owners: Give it a shot because running a business is very rewarding. Stick with it and make sure you network with other business owners.
Did you know? Pazar has worked in the auto glass for 26 years, but he didn’t decide to open his own business until he had left the industry to work as a carpenter. But once the recession hit, Pazar decided to go into business for himself, opening Clear View Auto and Window Glass.
This story was originally published August 30, 2015 at 2:00 AM with the headline "Genuine Auto Glass comes to Pacific Avenue."