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Store manager Jimmy Lopez shows the store space at Advance Auto Parts in Hanford. Opened on Oct. 9, it’s the first of 110 stores planned for California.
Store manager Jimmy Lopez shows the store space at Advance Auto Parts in Hanford. Opened on Oct. 9, it’s the first of 110 stores planned for California.
Advance Auto Parts, a North Carolina-based auto parts retailer, has big plans for California.
In fact, according to Marcus Vasquez, district manager for Advance Auto Parts in Northern California, there are plans to open up 110 stores over the next five month, “from Chico down to Chula Vistta.” However, they’ve started their first Californian venture in Hanford. On Oct. 9, they opened the first branded store at 1840 W. Lacey Blvd., where the former Pep Boys used to stand.
There are plenty of auto parts stores in Kings County, but Vasquez says that Advance is a league apart thanks to its excellent service, which includes curbside service.
“It’s our people. Best in class service, best in class folks. Our folks — I think what sets us apart is we want to be part of the community,” Vasquez said, elaborating the blood drive and food bank they’ve already thrown at the Hanford location. “So I think that’s what sets us apart is our level of service and the people that are providing services in our stores.”
Currently, Advance has 12 people from Hanford and the Kings/Tulare area staffing its 8,500 square feet of store space. Vasquez said opening during a pandemic was a different experience, but the local employees made all the difference in making it go smoothly.
“We’ve found some great quality teammates there in the Hanford area. Our manager is from the area as well,” Vasquez said. “And yeah, we were really pleased with the team that we had put together, and all from the local area, and… we’re really happy with the results of our team.”
Jimmy Lopez, the store’s manager, is from Farmersville.
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