One year after a devastating fire, Gene’s Auto Parts in Traverse City is not just back in business – they’re thriving. President Terry Dennan proudly states, “We got through it all and everything’s going great,” highlighting the remarkable recovery and improvements made since the incident.
On April 8th, 2016, a fast-moving fire ripped through Gene’s Auto Parts, causing widespread destruction. Originating from a car being serviced in the warehouse, the blaze resulted in over $7 million in inventory loss. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the fire brought a business built over 58 years to its knees in a mere seven hours, as Dennan somberly recalled, “30 years to build, well 58 years we’ve been in business, 7 hours to eliminate it.”
Despite the immense setback, Gene’s Auto Parts demonstrated incredible resilience. Instead of succumbing to the disaster, they immediately focused on rebuilding and enhancing their operations. Dennan explained their proactive approach, “We looked at our weaknesses after the fire, discussed them and we tried to come up with ways to fix them or make things better and I think we have, our service I think is going to be much better.”
The rebuild process was comprehensive. Starting from the untouched cement floor of the destroyed buildings, Gene’s Auto Parts constructed three new buildings, incorporating cutting-edge technology and optimized layouts. These improvements are designed to streamline operations and boost customer service. “We can strip more cars, get more parts into the warehouse, we have more room in our warehouses and we can just get the parts off faster for people,” Dennan elaborated, emphasizing the increased efficiency in their parts processing.
The Traverse City community and the wider Northern Michigan region played a vital role in supporting Gene’s Auto Parts during this challenging period. Dennan expressed deep gratitude, “Great being in Northern Michigan, not just people from Traverse City, all of Northern Michigan just saying sorry can we do anything to help, it was a great feeling.” This outpouring of support from community members, customers, and local restaurants underscored the strong bonds Gene’s Auto Parts has cultivated over the years.
Customers who have experienced the rebuilt Gene’s Auto Parts are impressed by the transformation. Wayne Moody, owner of D&W Auto, noted, “The first time I went in there after they got done with their remodeling or restructuring if you will I immediately noticed the difference, just modernized equipment, much nicer facility.” Another long-term customer, Bill Kinzie, who has been with Gene’s Auto Parts for over seven years, added, “The upgrades look a lot better now, it seems to be much more technologically advanced, it’s much more presentable inside and perhaps not as much waiting time.”
Looking ahead, Gene’s Auto Parts is committed to exceeding previous standards. Dennan confidently concluded, “We’re going to do better, our service is going to be better and our products going to be better, everything’s going to be better, 100 percent.” This unwavering commitment to improvement ensures that Gene’s Auto Parts will continue to be a leading provider of car parts and auto parts in Traverse City, offering enhanced service and a wider selection for their valued customers.
