MONTE VISTA – The manager of the new O’Reilly Auto Parts store, Austyn James used a big pair of scissors to cut the red ribbon strung in front of the business at 60 North Broadway St., Monte Vista, on Saturday, Sept. 21.
Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce Manager Heather Hillin hosted the official ribbon cutting to celebrate the store’s opening.
“It’s a pleasure to be here today to welcome O’Reilly Auto Parts into our community,” Hillin said. “This new store is not only a great resource for vehicle owners, but also a sign of growth and opportunity for our local economy. We appreciate O’Reilly’s investment in Monte Vista, and the new jobs they have created here. We are excited to see how they will support our community with their expertise and service. Thank you, O’Reilly Auto Parts, for choosing Monte Vista, and we wish you great success.”
There were approximately 50 people at the ribbon cutting ceremony, including MV Mayor Dale Becker, and MV City Manager GiGi Dennis.
O’Reilly’s provided donuts and light drinks and gave out some O’Reilly Auto Parts caps.
Store Manager James said, “This is super surreal. I am excited that the community has another option to go to for parts. I look forward to serving the community and helping everybody out. We are all super excited to be here, and we hope that everyone is also excited to have us here.”
James said that the store in Monte Vista had been planned through O’Reilly for about a year. He worked in the auto parts business for about 5 years before being named manager of the MV store.
“I started with AutoZone, and I heard that this store was opening and wanted to see if I could make the transition, to be the store manager here. They gave me the opportunity and I am so excited,” he said.
When asked if there is anything that sets Monte Vista O’Reilly’s Auto Parts store apart from others, James said, “This is a little bit bigger store than the one in Alamosa. We carry more of a variety of products here. I am excited about that, and hopefully we will have some agricultural parts here, on the shelf soon too; that way if the farmers need any bearings or off the wall parts, that typically Napa or the O’Reilly’s in Alamosa, or AutoZone, don’t typically stock, well we hope to take care of the farmers in that aspect, here in our store too.”
Store employee Tony Ortega said that he thinks that people in the community will appreciate that they have another auto parts store locally.
“We want people to know we are here with the parts they need. We have been working hard to stock the store for the past couple of weeks. We are excited about serving the local community,” Ortega said.
Resident Mary Gonzales attended the ribbon cutting and said that it would be easier to get parts with O’Reilly’s in town.
“Hands down they are the best place to get parts, and now we don’t have to travel to Alamosa for them, they are right here. What a great thing to add to our town,” Gonzales said.
