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Family-owned garage focuses on budget

They’re affordable, trustworthy, and family owned.

Welcome to Cortnee’s Cars, where customer satisfaction is the main priority.

The business opened June 5 at 136 South Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Blvd. in Lehighton.

Since then, it’s picked up steam, according to owner Cortnee Collier.

“We had a couple of our customers (from their previous location) come out here, and after they came around, a lot of locals came around,” Collier said. “We’ve gotten busy, which is nice to see via word-of-mouth.”

Collier said they had a boost from Bambi Elsasser at the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development. The business had its official ribbon cutting on Wednesday.

She has worked in the industry about 10 years and she is still learning every day.

Collier and her boyfriend Dan Fritz wanted to strike out on their own.

“We were both tired of working for cookie cutter dealers,” she said. Their motto is “Fix it right, fix it for a fair price.”

The business has four employees, including Fritz, who serves as general manager/lead technician, her father, Eric Collier, accountant, and her mother, Dawn Collier, office manager.

“We’re a family-owned operation that’s going to make sure they’re taking care of, and that their cars are safe on the road,” she said. “We want to take care of them, make them feel welcome, and take care of any needs they have.”

Cortnee is still working full-time at CJ Tires in Whitehall.

She’s anxious for the business to take off so she can devote herself full-time to the operation.

They first opened in Bath in December, but then found the Lehighton site was more suitable.

“We found a good location, lots of traffic,” Fritz said. “It’s a nice garage, nice setup, with room for some expansion down the road.”

Fritz said the business does general automotive repair and state emissions inspections.

He said customers come from the Lehigh Valley and as far away as Berks County.

“I have been involved for 25 years, Cortnee for about 10 years,” said Fritz, a Hyundai certified tech. Other certifications include Class 7 Pennsylvania State Safety Inspection Mechanic and emission inspections.

Cortnee has a Pennsylvania Enhanced Emissions Inspector Certification, and an EPA certification to service air conditioning systems.

“ I’ve always believed that no matter who you are, you drive your vehicle on the same roads as my family, That’s why it matters to me,” he added, stressing the business is “all about the customers.”

“We’re a place that’s about taking care of what they need to be able to keep them safe on the road,” he said. “We try to make it affordable; we want to stay that old mom-and-pop shop feel.”

Collier said the business is unique because of that affordable aspect.

“We don’t want to whack someone over the head for something that needs to get done,” she said. “We keep budget in mind.”

Cortnee’s Cars is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8-4 Saturday, closed Sunday.

For more information, visit www.cortneescars.com, or follow them on Facebook.

Cortnee's Cars is at 136 South Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Blvd. in Lehighton. Dawn Collier, left, is the office manager, and Dan Fritz is the general manager/lead technician. TERRY AHNER/TIMES NEWS
The employees at Cortnee's Cars gather at the ribbon cutting this week. From left: Frank Sivan, mechanic; Cortnee Collier, owner; Dan Fritz, owner; and Kyle Barrall, Napa Auto Parts representative. Eric Collier, accountant, is not pictured. CHRISTINE CAMPBELL/TIMES NEWS