A Cutchogue auto repair shop has a new owner and roughly $350,000 in renovations under way.

Elmer Carrillo recently took over Eastern Tire at 15 Eugenes Road, where property owner Justin Mirro said he plans to invest further in the longtime business.

The transition was marked Saturday with a ribbon-cutting attended by state and town officials and community members.

“Opportunities come along, and you’ve got to take them,” Mr. Carrillo told The Suffolk Times. “The owner of this property told me about the shop, so I came to take a look. I liked the location, and I thought it was a great opportunity.”

Mr. Carrillo, who has known Mr. Mirro for many years, also operates LI Wrap Pros, an automotive repair and customization shop at 133 E. Jericho Turnpike in Mineola.

Mr. Mirro, a Michigan native with a mechanical engineering degree, began his career in the automotive industry and worked for Toyota in Japan. He said that experience gave him an appreciation for dependable local repair businesses.

Mr. Mirro said he and Mr. Carrillo were concerned the repair shop could close if another operator did not take it over.

“This resource is desperately needed,” Mr. Mirro said. “Even though cars are more reliable today, they’re much more complex. People need a clean, friendly place where they can get tires, brakes and maintenance without having to drive all the way to Riverhead.”

Mr. Carrillo, who came to the United States 22 years ago, worked his way from sweeping floors to running automotive businesses in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

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During the 15 years at his former shop, he learned collision and mechanical repair, vehicle wrapping, paint-protection film installation, window tinting and ceramic coating. After the business was sold, he said, his wife encouraged him to open a shop of his own.

Mr. Mirro said he has invested roughly $350,000 in renovations at the property and expects to spend a similar amount, if not more, improving the building at the front of the site.

His plans include turning that building into a coffee shop and hosting Cars and Coffee gatherings where automobile enthusiasts could meet and display their vehicles.

“I’m originally from Detroit, so automotive culture has always been part of my life,” Mr. Mirro said. “I worked in the auto parts business, and I wanted to create a reason for people to take their classic cars out of the garage, grab a coffee, spend time with friends and enjoy driving again.”

Mr. Carrillo said the immediate priority is offering customers routine repairs and emergency service without requiring appointments for every visit.

“Customer service is 100% our focus,” he said. “We’re family-owned, and we’re going to do our best to provide the quart service people here deserve.”

The post Eastern Tire gets new owner, $350K renovation in Cutchogue appeared first on The Suffolk Times.

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