Chevrolet of Spring Valley leaps into the future with new facility

Two years after Rochester-based Penz Automotive Group spread its roots to Spring Valley by purchasing the Buick Chevrolet store, owner Todd Penz and his team are now taking the dealership to the next level and a new location. June 26 marked the first day of business at Chevrolet of Spring Valley’s new facility at 1100 North Broadway Avenue on the west side of town.

New leadership

“It took a lot of teamwork, a lot of effort to put it all together, and finally we are here,” says Jacob Fratzke, who also kicked off his new role as general manager. He is succeeding Bob Gregor, who retired on June 30.

Fratzke, who is originally from Winona and studied at St. Cloud State, has been with Penz for three years serving as finance manager at the group’s four stores, including the Nissan, Buick GMC and Subaru dealerships in Rochester.

“We have a good collaborative mindset with all our stores through inventory exchanges and in other areas,” says owner Todd Penz, “and this new store represents the way that we want to do business.”

Penz adds that it’s all about the customer experience and that the old facility had simply reached its limits. “The customer wasn’t going to get the full experience. It wasn’t a good layout or a good representation of Chevy. We reached our limits in service and sales capacity,” he says.

New features

Under the leadership of Benike Construction, the Penz group broke ground at the new site last fall and built a 20,000-square foot facility, roughly doubling the dealership’s previous space.

The facility features nine service bays (with one for electric vehicles soon to be added) and a dedicated service driveway allowing customers to drive their vehicle into the building, where they are met by a service representative. Other features include a car wash for customers, ample parking, customer amenities, such as an area for kids, and large windows throughout the building.

“It’s not hard to talk about the difference. It’s beautiful, gorgeous, and we are excited about that,” Fratzke says.

Fratzke is now looking forward to becoming involved in all aspects of the dealership, which includes sales manager Tyler Stockinger, four sales consultants, two service representatives, four technicians, and two used car technicians, with plans to expand the team.

“We’re excited to get the ball rolling,” Fratzke says.

He also stresses that his sales consultants are not based on commission.

“Whether they sell you a $500 or a $50,000 vehicle, they get paid the same, which is huge for customers, because they don’t have to feel forced and pressured,” Fratzke says.

What to expect

The new Chevy dealership sells new and pre-owned vehicles. Customers can also sell their vehicles, regardless of whether they are purchasing one. Services include everything from oil changes and tire rotations to engine or transmission repairs.

“We’re open on all aspects,” Fratzke says and also points to the dealership’s extensive parts and accessories inventory.

Even though the  COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the automotive industry, Fratzke he has also seen stability.

“Rates were really low, and now they are on the higher side, but ultimately it’s been pretty consistent with sales itself. Customers are still buying vehicles, they’re still financing vehicles, and our job is to ensure that we get you the cheapest rate out there so you are comfortable with your purchase.”

He adds that the used car market has been more of a roller coaster and that prices are changing daily based on the current market.

Penz says he has full confidence in Fratzke to manage whatever is ahead.

“We appreciate Jacob’s hard work in the last few years, and he is going to do a phenomenal job here,” he says. “He knows our core tenants and our mission and vision and has taken care of our employees, customers and the community.”

Grand opening

The Spring Valley Chevy team is now inviting the community to the dealership’s grand opening celebration on Saturday, July 22, from 4-10 p.m. The event will feature food trucks, two live bands and a light show. Car fans can also check out 50 Corvettes the Rochester Corvette Club will bring to the event.

Vendors

In addition to Benike Construction, these contractors, suppliers and vendors were involved in the construction of the new Chevrolet facility: Gries Architectural Group, Inc. (architect), Briese Iron Works, Inc. (steel supplier), Broadway Equipment Company (car wash contractor), Calmar Manufacturing Company  (casework supplier), Construction Supply, Inc. (toilet accessories, flag pole, misc. building supplies), County Materials Corporation (precast plank contractor), Custom Alarm (security system and fire alarm contractor), Elcor Construction (earthwork contractor), G-Matic Systems, Inc. (automated door systems contractor), Hawk & Sons (steel erector),  High Forest Automotive Equipment (automotive equipment supplier), iSpace Environments (furniture supplier), Johnson Hardware Company (doors, frames and hardware supplier), K&M Glass (glazing and storefront contractor), McMartin Electric, Inc. (electrical contractor), Nickelson Painting, Inc. (painting contractor), Palmer Soderberg, Inc. (carpet, ceiling and drywall contractor), Ready Mix Concrete Co., LLC (concrete supplier), Rochester Plumbing & Heating, Inc. (plumbing contractor), S&S Overhead Door (overhead door contractor), Schwickert’s Tecta America LLC (roofing contractor), SEH, Inc. (surveying and civil design), Smidt Companies (metal prefabricated building contractor), Specialty Systems, Inc. (metal panel contractor), Spring Valley Utilities (electrical connections to city power), Summit Fire Protection (fire suppression system contractor), Tile Superstore & More, Inc. (tile contractor) and Tonna Mechanical, Inc. (mechanical contractor).