Perry Hall Salvo Auto Parts, A Family Affair

Considering the number of Salvo family members who live in and around Perry Hall, it was only a matter of time until they opened up an auto parts location close to home.

Greeted by a crowd of customers and local officials, Salvo Auto Parts launched its 10th Baltimore-area store in Perry Hall Square Shopping Center on Saturday morning.

"It's a great turnout. The community has embraced us. We've always been here so it feels right to have a store here," said Kirk Salvo, who helps manage the family-owned chain along with his brothers, Todd, Dru, Joe and Mark.

Their father, Joe Salvo, took over the business in 1963 and directed its expansion. His father opened the first Salvo Auto Parts in Essex in 1936.

"It's been a lot of hard work. You need loyal employees and loyal customers," Joe Salvo said.

The patriarch is credited with deciding to enter Perry Hall Square—a historic shopping center that has suffered from several vacancies in recent years.

During the ribbon cutting, County Councilman David Marks, State Sen. Kathy Klausmeier, State Del. Joe Boteler and State Del. Jon Cluster celebrated that Salvo Auto Parts had filled, combined and renovated multiple storefronts.

A commercial revitalization district, offering governmental assistance to businesses at the center, was proposed by Marks and approved by the County Council in May 2011. By summer of 2011, vacancies peaked at 40 percent.

Since then, officials from the center's management company, Kimco Realty, have been outspoken in their support for bringing in new businesses. Over the past year, a Giant grocery store, frozen yogurt shop and martial arts school have entered the center.

Plans for Salvo Auto Parts were announced in January.

In recent years, several Salvo descendants have lived in Perry Hall and Kingsville and attended Perry Hall High School—one of the main reasons why the grand opening doubled as a fundraiser for the Perry Hall High School Athletic Boosters.

The grand opening also featured a car show and several giveaways.