PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The holidays are looking a little brighter for several displaced Sears Auto Center associates, following an announcement that five employees have been hired by Lewiston-based VIP Tires & Service.
“VIP has hired five of the full-time auto service team members from the Sears located at the Aroostook Centre Mall,” Belinda Donovan, public relations director for Ethos Marketing and Design, announced Thursday on behalf of VIP.
Sears announced in October that it would shutter its doors at the mall, located in Presque Isle, effective January 2015. The auto center was scheduled to close on Saturday, Nov. 8, leaving the team of technicians and managers without jobs.
“My team and I are very thankful that VIP stepped up to give us this opportunity” said Eric Miranda, the Sears Auto Center manager. “This means so much to our families, especially as we near the holiday season.”
The five Sears employees will start their new jobs at the VIP on Main Street on Sunday, Nov. 9.
“We’re also extremely happy our customers won’t experience any service interruptions and that VIP is honoring their Sears extended warranties so they can rest easy knowing we’ll be there for them,” Miranda said. “We can’t wait to get started.”
John Quirk, president and CEO of VIP, said when he learned that the Sears Auto Center would be closing, he knew it was a chance to make a decisive move.
“VIP places a premium on high-quality auto mechanics; I knew this was not only an opportunity for VIP to expand its talented workforce, but it was also a chance to support the local Presque Isle economy. VIP has owned a Presque Isle store since 1985,” said Quirk.
Those joining VIP include: Miranda; Daniel Castle, who served as assistant manager at Sears Auto Center; Dylan Brooker, technician/advisor; and auto technicians Michael Corella and David Stavnesli.
“Eric has 18 years experience, Dan has seven. The two lead technicians have 15-20 years experience each. It’s great to hire talent like that. They have a very loyal customer base we hope to continue to serve for years to come,” said Quirk.
Quirk said the decision to honor warranties was made to help customers.
“Parts are usually covered under manufacturers’ warranties. We’ll cover the labor. If there’s trouble with parts, we have a really good partnership with O’Reilly and other companies,” he said.
With the new hires will come expanded business hours.
“We’re open seven days a week. We’ve extended hours throughout the week, opening a half hour earlier Monday-Saturday, 7 instead of 7:30 a.m., and closing an hour later at 7 p.m. those days. On Sunday, we’re staying open an hour longer, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” he said.
Quirk said he also took the opportunity to make management changes with the additions of the Sears employees.
“Eric has been named manager of the combined team, with Tony Boucher promoted to general manager,” he said.
Quirk also said he hopes to expand the business in 2015, possibly at the mall location being vacated by Sears.
“We’re working with folks in Chicago — Sears Holding — but right now, with what’s going on with Sears, it’s hard to reach a decision. We’re also working with the mall and are hopeful that might work out for us,” said Quirk. “In the meantime, we’ve made renovations by enlarging the bays at our Main Street facility.”
He doesn’t expect a decision to be made on any move until after the first of the year.
“It’s a busy time of year right now, with folks getting cars ready for winter. After the dust settles, we hope after the first of the year to either work with the mall, but if that doesn’t work out, we’ll look for another place. We hope to expand from five to 10 bays. The last piece of the puzzle will be nailing down a facility,” said Quirk.
Meanwhile, VIP will officially welcome its new employees with a community event 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 15, at its 755 Main St. location. Refreshments and prizes, including a set of four tires and free oil changes, will be offered.