New auto shop is coming to Yelm, and the owners of a Lacey sweet shop tell their story
.jpg "Graham Auto Repair of Pierce County is planning to open a new Yelm shop in the former location of the Mattress Ranch.")
At one time, Troy Vaninetti was just an employee at a business that would eventually be known as Graham Auto Repair in Pierce County.
He became a lead technician and manager, then he bought the business and expanded it, and now he’s expanding again by opening a location in Yelm this spring.
He has his eyes on an opening date of April 4. The new location would have opened sooner, but was slowed by trying to find a contractor. Now, work is underway on a major remodel of an existing building at 412 Yelm Ave E. that will give him 6,400 square feet for auto repair and maintenance on all makes and models of vehicles.
He also will have the space and the heavy equipment to work on RVs, motor homes and heavier trucks, he said.
Vaninetti, who owns the business with his wife, Kori, identified Yelm as an area that is expected to grow. To meet that growth, he expects to add six more employees to the 13 he already employs. Those who are interested in working for Graham Auto Repair should check out the “join our team” page on the business’s website, he said.
What’s been the secret to his success?
“The people,” Vaninetti said. “I surround myself with good people.”
He also has been part of the Automotive Training Institute since 2012 and works with two personal coaches who continue to provide him with feedback.
“Leadership is a big part of running a business,” he said.
Other business happenings
The Nom Nom Stop owners Tiberio and Gabriela Serbanescu have been so busy with their new sweets shop in Lacey that they have had difficulty answering the phone, which meant they missed a call from The Olympian earlier this month.
But the newspaper finally connected with Tiberio this week to learn more about the owners and the business.
The business at College Street Southeast and Pacific Avenue Southeast sells handmade chocolates, fudge, chocolate bars, and cakes, including tiramisu on the weekends, plus two ready-to-go items: crepes and cheesecake on a stick.
So far the cookies-and-cream cheesecake is a hit and so is the imperial monkey crepe. It is made with Nutella, crunchy crumbled cookies, nuts, and banana, then drizzled with Nutella and roasted nuts.
Much of the inspiration for the business comes from Italy. Originally from Romania, the couple moved to Venice to work in the hospitality industry: He worked as a concierge for one local hotel and Gabriela worked in the kitchen of another hotel.
“It changed me,” said Tiberio, adding that it provided a lesson in marketing, public relations and even diplomacy.
A family tie to Lacey brought them here. Before they opened the Nom Nom Stop, Tiberio had his own marketing business, helping businesses and others with web and graphic design and other multimedia needs.
All of that experience has been put to use at the new business, he said.
If you know of a retailer, restaurant, coffee shop or other business that is opening, closing, expanding, remodeling, or changing its focus, send an email to reporter Rolf Boone at rboone@theolympian.com.
This story was originally published December 24, 2021 at 5:45 AM.
