In The News

Automotive shop may come to Highland Square

July 24, 2014  |  Christian Brothers Automotive
Christian Brothers Automotive

Cincinnati Enquirer

WEST CHESTER TWP. – – A Houston-based company plans to break ground in late September on its first repair shop in Ohio.

Earlier this week township trustees approved a change in the Highland Square planned unit development project that would allow Christian Brothers Automotive to put a shop in the complex pending approval next month on the company's plan.

The change had previously been reviewed and recommended for approval by the township's zoning commission and the Butler County Planning Commission.

It will be constructed on the east side of Cincinnati-Dayton Road, north of the Interstate 75 interchange, adjacent to Chase bank.

A 150-foot long, 105,000-square-foot building designed as a stone cottage with a nine-bay garage and 26 parking spaces is planned for the site, said Jonathan Wakefield, development director for the company.

Four employees – including the franchise owner and mechanics – would operate the shop. A similar franchise is proposed for Loveland.

"We are not a lube shop. We are not a tire shop,'' Wakefield said. "We are an after warranty service (station)."

About 15-22 vehicles would be serviced each day. Vehicles would be brought into the bays each evening with no outside storage unless cars were towed or dropped off in an emergency situation.

The average cost of repairs among the company's 127 locations is $350 to $380, Wakefield said. None of the locations have closed since the company's 1982 start.

"We work very hard to raise the bar,'' he said.

Normal business hours would be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday except the first six months, when the repair shop would also have Saturday hours, Wakefield said.

Hours of operation and five other conditions were included as conditions of the approval.

Construction is expected to take 120-150 days, said Jim Watson, the engineer for the project. If all goes as planned, the shop could be open for business during the first quarter of 2015, he said.

Property owner Neyer Properties is in favor of the project, said company representative Jeff Chamot.

 

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