8-Year-Old San Antonio Shop Named 'Best in City'

It's only eight years old. And it started with just one man and one service bay. One man who did everything, from answering the phone to ordering parts to washing cars.

But today, The Dealer Alternative in San Antonio has 12 employees and 20 service bays, making it the largest specialty independent repair shop in the Alamo City. A shop that works only on Lexus and Toyota vehicles. A shop that is already Numero Uno: It has just been named the best auto mechanic shop in that city by San Antonio Current magazine.

Anthony "Tony" Zarcone

It has enjoyed success and grown leaps and bounds because of the dream of its founder, Anthony "Tony" Zarcone. "I opened The Dealer Alternative with one thought in mind," says Tony. "I wanted to change the way auto repair is done. All of my technicians have been hired for their skills and character. Most are master techs who have worked for dealerships. We show our employees that we honestly care about them. I've been a tech myself and so I know what it's like. I know what they are going through and I know how they think. I try to treat them like I'd like to be treated."

He does not require them to work weekends - and at Christmas, they close for two weeks. The shop includes a shower and dressing room for technicians so that they do not have to go home dirty. "We have a family bond with our employees," says Tony. "We have employee family picnics and what we call 'Friday Feasts' luncheons at the shop. I want my employees to be happy.

Unidentified customers are shown in the shop’s waiting room. Among periodicals available for customers to read are the local newspaper and The Wall Street Journal.

"We also show our customers that we care about them. We try to make it a pleasant experience when a repair needs to be done. I designed the waiting room to be comfortable and provide free refreshments. We have Wi-Fi set up for all the professionals and we have a computer desk. We also offer our customers a ride to their home or work. We want everyone to be happy."

Obviously, treating people well is paying off. Although he has never paid for advertising, word-of-mouth advertising - which is said to be the best advertising you can get - is bringing in about 100 new customers a month.

Dian Gallo

Tony says his mother, Dian Gallo, does the marketing, banking, office work and all the worrying for the business. Tony is president of The Dealer Alternative, and his cousin, Mike Aikens, is vice president.

When asked about the advantages and disadvantages of working with family members, Tony replied: "Having family working with me has been wonderful. They bring extra devotion to the company. It is nice to see your mother and cousin every day. The only disadvantage is that sometimes the work gets brought home."

Interior of The Dealer Alternative, which has 20 service bays. All-new lifts were installed before it opened in 2000.

Tony says he enjoys the satisfaction of "fixing a problem with my hands and mind." When he was 17, he bought a 1971 Oldsmobile with a 442 engine. When the engine threw a rod and developed a knock, he took it apart and fixed it. He enjoyed it so much that he decided vehicle service and repair was his calling.

He has an associate's degree from Alfred State College in Wellsville, N.Y., and is an ASE master technician with L1 certification.

If he could change one thing about his business, what would it be? "I would add more inventory," says Tony. "It would save so many calls to the parts house."

Full-time workers include (from left) Rudy Flores, Miguel Uribe, Philip Blythe, Thomas Freudenrich, Johnny Freudenrich, Mike Aikens, Ronald Boldt, Alan Nicholson and Tony Zarcone.

Plans for the future include opening a body repair operation and expanding to all car lines, tires, details.

That The Dealer Alternative has been successful one cannot deny. But says Tony, "Success is a journey, not a destination, and we are still working on our 'journey.'"

Editor's note: Indicative of how much The Dealer Alternative cares for its customers, its upscale ladies room with a beautiful mural has just been voted the latest winner in AutoInc.'s Shop Photo Contest.