Pat Preston put his family automobile business’s show on the road 25 years ago in Burton with keys to a superstore success and a driving commitment to the people it serves.
“The community is everything to us,” said Jackie Preston Franck, Preston Superstore marketing and advertising director. “We would not be here today without this community. In this day in age, it is so important to support local business and do business when you can in your community. The community embraced us 25 years ago and continues to support us, and for that we are forever grateful.”
Preston Superstore features all four major brands, including Chevrolet, Cadillac, Ford and Kia in one location and equipped to handle all automotive needs at 13600 West Center Street in Burton.
Pat Preston is owner of the family business with his son, Bill Preston, GM of Chevrolet and Kia, daughter, Jackie, and her husband, Andy Franck, GM of Ford, along with Pat’s brother-in-law, Bill Lane, new car manager.
“Our goal is to keep this business a family business for generations to come and continue to offer a different approach to buying or servicing a vehicle to this community,” Jackie said.
That unique approach includes the company’s well-known and often quirky commercials — the creativity of which Jackie credits her father.
“Being memorable in the world of media and advertising is a hard accomplishment,” Jackie said. “I studied broadcast journalism in college and was in the television news business before coming over to the dealership, so I know this better than anyone. I wish I could take credit for the creativity, but that is all Pat. I must have got my love for media from him because he has an eye for it.”
She added, “A while back, he got the idea for the cows and ever since, I have people constantly coming up to me saying how much they love to wait and watch for the funny endings.”
A hustle and bustle of sales associates and customers journeyed inside and outside the Chevrolet building on a recent weekday as family members met outside.
“We originally were outsiders, we moved here from New Jersey in 1992,” Bill said, adding they quickly settled into Geauga County, which he still lives in with his own family as does his sister and parents. “We grew up in Newbury and now live in Auburn Township. My father started the business with his brother, who owned a GM dealership in (Pennsylvania). He left the hotel service business (Marriott Hotels) because we moved around every three years and wanted a more stable family environment.”
The family’s dedication to community stayed constant.
“Geauga County is very special to our family,” Bill said. “It (is) a very loyal area. I can’t tell you how many times I have met people in the dealership who have told me they have been buying cars from us since 1992. Everybody from around here works very hard. There are generations of families in the area and other businesses like ours that have been passed down to other generations. I think that is really special. There isn’t that corporate feeling in the county.”
Pat said it is a lot of responsibility serving the needs of the community and one he places high priority in and enjoys.
“What a great area we live in,” Pat said. “It’s always optimistic and people aren’t wanting something for nothing.”
Both sister and brother stressed the importance of great customer service.
“The car business can get a bad rap, so we have always made customer service our top priority,” Jackie said. “We make sure to welcome people into our dealership as though they are family and truly see them as family. Treating someone like family to us is not pressuring them into anything and really helping them make a great choice for them and their families. From our service waiting areas to the way we contact our guests, we are constantly thinking how we can serve the customer better.”
Bill added it is always important to take care of their “guests.”
“That’s how we came up with our mission statement a few years ago, the nicest people serving the nicest guests,” Bill said. “Car sales have a negative connotation and we are always trying to wow people and make them realize that we are not your normal car dealership. We don’t want to sell you one car, we want to sell you all of your cars. You can’t do that if you don’t treat people with respect and care about their concerns.”
Pat added his employees are their number one asset.
“It is a lot of responsibility and we take it very seriously,” Pat said, of running Preston Superstore. “We also contribute where we can to make things better.”
A page long list on their websites names groups supported by Preston, with almost 50 organizations ranging from University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center to Sisters of Notre Dame and the S.T.A.R.S. (specialized teaching for student with autism resource support) program.
“My dad has really provided us with a great example of what it looks like to give back to the community you live and work,” Jackie added. “I think Bill, Andy and I also feel passionate about supporting organizations and causes that we believe in and make a difference right here in the area. One of those things that I have really enjoyed learning more about is the S.T.A.R.S. program and Geauga Achieve. We have made donating to them a priority and I have gotten a firsthand look at where that money is going and all the good it is doing for those special kids in those programs.”
