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Family auto shop revs up during economic slowdown

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BY MARK SCHANTZ

THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: October 25, 2008

TARPON SPRINGS - During these tough economic times, many vehicle owners are thinking about repairing what they have rather than buying another car, van or truck.

Shannan Titcomb said that is good news for their family-owned Pinellas Auto Radiator and Air Conditioning.

This year has been surprisingly good, business wise, as more people seek to extend their vehicle's life and keep it on the road as long as they can, she said.

People must have their car to get around, but they cannot afford to buy another one, so they look to repair what they have, she explained.

Shannan and her brother, Paul J. Liparoto, are the second generation of repair specialists at the 22-year-old auto repair service, in a former lumber warehouse at 220 Lemon St.

In the early part of the last century, when the railroad ran down Safford Avenue - the railroad tracks long ago gave way to the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail - their building was a bustling lumber warehouse.

Pinellas Auto Radiator and Air Conditioning moved their business into the building in 1991.

Shannan, a 1995 graduate of Tarpon Springs High School, and Paul, who graduated in 2000 from Palm Harbor University High School, were happy to join their father, Paul M. Liparoto, and mom Darlene in the business.

Shannan remembers chasing cats along Lemon Street and playing at the shop as a little girl, when the area did not look as nice.

In the last few years the city has done a lot to improve the look of Lemon Street and make it feel more inviting, she said.

The original focus of the business was wholesale radiator and air conditioning repair.

Over the years, however, more and more people began asking for engine repair services. So the business slowly evolved into what it is now, a full service neighborhood auto repair shop.

Requests for more complex engine repairs, transmission, cooling or air conditioning systems have gone up.

Patriarch Paul M. said the business has changed a lot over the years.

These days you can't just open the hood and easily fix the problem, he said.

Given the increasing sophistication of the computerized systems controlling vehicle engines, drive trains and brakes, there is a lot of training to keep up with, according to Paul M.

Having Shannan and Paul J. taking a more active role in the shop will ensure it maintains its community focus, Paul M. said.

His goal is fixing a problem the first time and road testing, so customers do not have to return again for the same problem.

Customers also know they will be told just what they need to make repairs, with no attempt to find additional costs to tack onto the bill, he said.

Word of mouth has grown a loyal customer base over the years, he said.

Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.

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