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Repair Or Replace

Safelite Opens Area Location

Safelite AutoGlass opened a new shop in Celoron. Pictured from left are George Borrello, state senator; Lisa Vanstrom, Chautauqua County legislator; Vince DeJoy, store manager; Brandon Patrizi, technician; Sven T. Thompson, technician; Colt Hart, operations manager; and Katrina Fuller, representing Congressman Tom Reed’s office. P-J photo by Jordan W. Patterson

CELORON – Vince DeJoy had a crack in his car windshield in May. He called Safelite AutoGlass for a quick fix, and he was on his way.

Seven months later he’s now the store manager of the company’s new headquarters in the area.

“We’re excited to be here,” said DeJoy, who took the job in November.

Joined by state Sen. George Borrello, Chautauqua County Legislator Lisa Vanstrom and Katrina Fuller, representing Congressman Tom Reed’s office, Safelite employees participated in an official ribbon-cutting ceremony to launch the company’s new shop in Celoron. While operating in the area for more than five years, Safelite is now offering an in-shop feature to its business. The new storefront became the 14th of its kind in the Buffalo area, said Colt Hart, Safelite operations manager.

“This has made a world of difference in terms of giving people the option to come to a nice facility where they can relax and have a cup of coffee, watch some TV while we’re doing a window replacement,” DeJoy said, adding that the process typically takes 30 minutes.

Safelite employees usually operate out on the road, fixing windshields wherever a client is in distress. But during times of heavy precipitation of snow or rain, the ability to fix a window is limited unless the client has a garage or is located near an enclosed area. Offering the added in-house shop will benefit many customers in the area, DeJoy said.

“We just make it easy and fast and efficient and our technicians are highly trained. They’ll be very courtesy and always go the extra mile,” he said.

The local branch will employ seven people, including DeJoy. Most of the employees are locals, too, which added to Borrello’s point of Safelite boosting the local economy.

“It’s nice to know you’ll add a few more new jobs to the area as a result of this expansion,” Borrello said.

The shop, located at 345 Livingston Ave., is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and can be reached at 708-1393, or Vincent.DeJoy@safelite.com

DeJoy, formerly the city of Jamestown director of development, said he jumped on the chance to work for the company. DeJoy announced his retirement as a city official after nearly 12 years last month.

Hart referred to the new building as the shop “that Vince built” referencing DeJoy’s efforts in bringing the added facilities.

Recalling his personal experience with Safelite last spring, DeJoy knew this was a company he could work for, one that “had their act together.”

“So, when I saw this opportunity, I’m like ‘Yeah, that’s the kind of company I want to work for,'” DeJoy said, adding that the company puts its customers and people first. The shop, located at 345 Livingston Ave., is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and can be reached at 708-1393, or Vincent.DeJoy@safelite.com

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