January 22, 2014 at 5:40 p.m.
'I buy local' spotlight
Rhinelander Toyota works to build relationships with customers
'I buy local' spotlight
Name of business: Rhinelander Toyota
Owners: Mike Aus, owner/operator since 2003
Address: New Location, 1955 North Stevens Street
Phone: (715) 365-8101
Website: www.RhinelanderToyota.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhinelander.gm.toyota?ref=tn_tnmn
Hours: Winter Hours: Sales: Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Service: Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rhinelander Detail Pro's: Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Type of Business: Automotive sales, service and detail
When Business Opened: The new facility was opened Dec. 23 [2013] otherwise we've been open since 2003.
What makes Rhinelander special?
We're so fortunate to live in an area where we enjoy countless recreational opportunities, coupled with ever expanding opportunities for eating and shopping. Our one-of-a-kind businesses and community strength continue to encourage prosperity, which allows entrepreneurs and skilled workers to invest and settle in Rhinelander.
What types of products or services do you offer?
Everyone knows that a dealership sells vehicles. At Rhinelander Toyota, our relationship with the guest doesn't end after the sale of their vehicle - we continue to constantly strive to meet their needs with our Service, Parts, Tires and Automotive Accessories departments. We also offer a complete detail facility to keep that vehicle looking brand new! The larger service area will allow us, because we have more stalls, we're able to get more people scheduled in and get them in and out quicker. What's cool about our facility is, because we upgraded to a larger Toyota facility we will be opted into having more available inventory for sale so that means our car selection is going to continue to get bigger as well and we'll be able to get more unique vehicles as well.
What are some the challenges your business faces?
The challenges we faced, specifically for Toyota, was the lack of space we had in the old building, but clearly we have advanced in that so a lot of challenges we found in the previous building have been surpassed so to speak. Both sales-wise and parking (space was lacking). There was one service lane now there are two, even the service stalls we have double the amount of stalls so definitely it is a bigger facility. [The new building] is quite the hit, nothing but positive reviews. I think that people were very happy with our customer service and our unconditional dedication to excellence but I think the building is definitely the cherry on top. It allows us to continually have ongoing improvement and opportunity for personal, professional and organizational growth within our company.
What aspect of your business makes you most proud?
The fact that we are very connected with the community and the support of our community whether it is donations or contributions. We constantly are actively involved with the non-profit organizations and Rhinelander youth.
What benefits can your business offer for consumers who buy local?
The dollars spent right here in our community have a huge impact on products and services offered. At Rhinelander Toyota, we're grateful for the community's support and dedicate ourselves to giving back to each and every guest. Even after the sale, we're here for our guests! We're aggressively price competitive, offer a huge array of products and services, and offer hands-on after-sale care you won't get from online retailers. Best of all, shopping at Rhinelander Toyota allows us to continue our support of community causes and groups. We are very proud to support the education of Rhinelander youth, partner with non-profit organizations, and sponsor/contribute to local events. We give willingly to and are actively involved in the support of our communities, because it's the community that provide us our success. Recently, Facebook has become a valuable tool we can use to share information and photos of local events, area youth activities, and non-profit cross education. With nearly 2,100 followers, the impact is immeasurable!
What makes your business stand out?
Our friends and neighbors most often say it's our dedication to community support that makes us stand out. Most recently, we've supported Ministry "On Target Quality of Life Tournament" Hospice Benefit, Nicolet College Foundation Scholarship, Rhinelander Area Food Pantry, Hodag Schools Foundation, and we even had a brave employee jump for the Polar Plunge! Last year we were incredibly honored to be named Retail Business of the Year by the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce.
What products or services do you offer that are unique?
Not many people are aware that we can set you up with unique vehicles, whether it is through our automotive accessories, we are very large in that whether it is an upgrade in rims and tires to a lift kit to vinyl graphics on the side, automotive audio packaging and we can do that for any make and model, it doesn't necessarily have to be a Toyota brand. That's something that I think people don't realize that we really offer a lot. We are very price competitive for online as well for automotive accessories.
What are your favorite restaurants, shops or attractions in Rhinelander?
It's tough to pick just a few from a long list of great local restaurants, shops, and attractions! We've partnered with many businesses who have been key to our success. Press Express and Shirts, Signs and Designs always strive to make sure our apparel and company signage are top notch. We benefit from the expertise of numerous local banks who allow us to provide the best loan rates for our guests. We also have dedicated sales and service teams who enjoy delicious catered meals from places like Northwestern and Pat's tacos. One notable experience came from Diane, from Diane's Frame Shoppe. During the busy holiday season, Diane dropped what she was doing and worked late nights to take on a last-minute project we needed her assistance with. She came up with an incredible work of art for which we're immensely grateful. Just one example of local businesses banding together to ensure the success of all!
What is your personal relationship and involvement with the community?
I'm constantly going to events in town and educating myself on the other businesses, participating with non-profit organizations, constantly picking up the paper and reading about what we can do to help improve the area.
Why do you think it is important to buy local?
Think of doing business locally as a way to nurture your own community. Keeping your dollars local means those dollars stay in our wonderful community. Every dollar spent generates twice as much income for our local economy. It also enhances circulation speed in the area. If currency circulates more quickly through more hands, more people in our community benefit prosperously. Buying local feels good, too!
Do you have any special events planned in the near future?
The biggest sponsorship we are doing is Ministry Home Care "On Target for a Quality of Life" and Ho-Drags on Ice, so that's in the near future, that's in February. It's not our direct event but we are pretty involved in it.
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