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Cars and Decor Tips?!
08Nov
By Larry Printz
The Virginian-Pilot
Soft, sleek sofas. Tables lit by modern pendant lights. A bathroom with glass and linen tile, and a raised bowl sink.
No, I’m not describing a vacation suite or a luxury house at Homearama. It’s Hall Acura’s new dealership on Virginia Beach Boulevard in Virginia Beach.
Last week, I attended the dealership’s official opening. And the place is trés chic.
With warm earth tones, the decor is decidedly modern. Brushed chrome trim is used as crown molding. And you should see the showroom floor tile: Some of it resembles wood. Cool.
I want my house to look this nice.
The remodeled store employs a standardized design created by Acura. The result is airy and welcoming. This is important. Aside from, say, a car enthusiast, few people like spending time at a dealership. A visit to the dentist might even be higher on your list.
So it’s important to make people feel at ease. This the showroom does in spades.
It’s a big deal. Even Jerry Fader – automotive president and chief operating officer of MileOne, Hall’s parent company – came to town for the event.
The dealership moved from Holland Road to Virginia Beach Boulevard when General Motors shuttered Hall’s Pontiac/Buick/GMC store in November 2009. The move puts this Acura store closer to its demographic base, and Fader expects business to pick up.
When a store moves, “we always see an uptick in the business,” Fader said. “It can be anywhere from 5, 10, 15 or 20 percent. A lot depends on the product lineup, and Acura has some new products coming, which should add to the uptick.”
Bill Baker, president and chief operating officer of Hall Automotive, said the company spent about $750,000 renovating the building, built in 2002. “The box itself lent itself to the design Acura was looking for,” Baker said. “It was a simple renovation. ”
There are many small touches that make the store easy to navigate. When you pull your Acura into the enclosed service drive, the technician desks are right beside your car, not inside in another room. And when you pay for service, the cashier window is directly across from the service manager’s office, just in case an issue arises.
Also, you’ll find it easier to get an appointment. There are 22 service bays in the new dealership, versus 12 at the old store.
On the other side of the building, you’ll find an enclosed delivery room, where buyers take possession of their new rides. Though this is increasingly common, you won’t find many with leather seating, tiled floor and wood panel ing. It’s luxurious.
I’m no design expert from HGTV, but the store is easy to admire.
“It elevates us to a higher level; the expectation grows,” Baker said.
“Hall has occupied this corner for 35 years,” he added. “We’ve been wanting to do this for a long time.”