East Long Beach Brake Service: A Legacy of Automotive Integrity
When Kevin Kemp realized East Long Beach Brake Service might disappear, he and his wife, Christy, decided they couldn’t let that happen. The neighborhood was about to lose an institution. The trust and bonds that the automotive shop had spent decades building with the community would be lost. This was their opportunity for Kevin and Christy to preserve a cherished community business, and they were going to take it.
As the parents of young children, the business model appealed to them. Kevin says, “Our goal was always to run our business the way we want, when we want.” This motto aligned with East Long Beach Brake Services’ existing schedule. For over 100 years, the shop’s operations took place Monday through Friday, closing up on the weekends. Family time could remain a priority for Kevin and Christy, while still providing the same service on the same schedule as the previous owners.
And while the ownership changed, their virtues, along with a trusted staff of seasoned mechanics – Ponch & Mario – have stayed the same. That doesn’t mean the road was always easy. It took time to gain the confidence of longtime customers and build up a rapport, which was essential to their success. Part of their strategy was to create an inviting space, both comfortable and a bit eclectic, something that tells the story of Kevin and Christy. Tapping into Kevin’s punk rock roots, the lobby space offers a glimpse into the owners’ personal style, with classic movies on the television and punk music playing in the background.
Kevin also recognizes that the industry has a reputation for not treating all customers with the same deference, even taking advantage of the naivety of a customer that may not know the cost or value of a service, or could potentially be talked into paying for unnecessary repairs on their car. For many, it’s a daunting, scary event when the check engine light on their car starts blinking. It signals trouble, potentially expensive trouble. For East Long Beach Brake Service, this is the perfect opportunity to build trust and show their commitment to the community by providing honest, reliable, and fair services.
Kevin and Christy see owning a neighborhood business as a conduit to supporting their community. It’s about becoming part of the lives of the people who walk through the door, earning their trust, and hopefully becoming the kind of business their customers feel comfortable recommending to their own families.
“Family helps family,” Kevin says.
For a 103-year-old shop, that philosophy feels like a pretty good way to keep the legacy going.
East Long Beach Brake Service is located at 4445 E Anaheim St. Long Beach, CA 90804 in the Zaferia neighborhood. Email them at eastlongbeachbrake@gmail.com or call them at (562) 438-1658 to schedule an appointment.
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