After 20 Years, Pete's CARSTAR Moves to New Location in South Windsor

After 20 years of doing business on Sea Pave Road, Pete’s CARSTAR has moved to a newer, more modern, larger location on John Fitch Boulevard.

The new 20,000-square-foot building - up from the old location’s 4,200 square-foot space - has plenty of office space, a Hertz rental area for people to rent cars once they drop theirs off at the shop and an indoor bay for estimates in the event of cold weather. There’s even a beverage center.

Oh, and about 18,000 square feet of space is dedicated to collision repair and auto body work.

“We ran out of room at the old place about a year ago,” Pete’s CARSTAR owner Pete Gutska said. “It was time to make a change.”

In making the move, Pete’s CARSTAR is bucking the trend during this economy, both in terms of expanding its space and also hiring. Gutska said that he hired two new employees - bringing the business’ total to 11 - as a result of the move, which took place right after Labor Day.

“It’s not about the economy,” Gutska said. “We just did what was best for business.”

Gutska said that he didn’t have a secret to why his business was successful.

“Just great customer service and offering a great product,” he said. “Just Business 101.”

Not that the transition has been completely smooth.

“It’s growing pains,” Gutska said. “We’re trying to figure out the flow of things. Stuff that worked out in 4,200 square feet doesn’t work as smoothly in this space. … We do a lot more walking. … Simple tasks like taking out the garbage aren’t as easy as they used to be.”

Still, overall Gutska said that he was pleased with the results.

“I wouldn’t have moved if I couldn’t stay in South Windsor,” he said. “I got my start here and my customers know me.”

Pete's will further celebrate its new location with a grand opening and ribbon cutting on Oct. 4.

Pete’s CARSTAR is located at 459 John Fitch Blvd. It’s hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturdays by appointment only.