Caravans of vehicles, approximately 350 total, were moved from the Bruner location on E. Commerce in Brownwood to the new facilities at the intersection of Early Blvd. and Hwy 183N in Early. Final details of construction are still underway; however the Toyota facility will be ready for business Monday morning, according to Bruner Auto Family President Greg Bruner.
“We’re trying today to make the full move,” said Bruner. “We’ll have a consolidated operation out of the Toyota store – service, parts, and sales – on Monday for both GM and Toyota products. The body shop will still operate out of the Brownwood location for about another week.”
Bruner explained further how the move is taking shape and how the business will be done as construction is completed in the next week or two.
“We’ll headquarter out of the Toyota store for approximately one week as subcontractors and tradesmen work are still tied up finishing the GM store,” said Bruner. “There will be lots of training going on such as learning the new phone systems and facilities, along with rearranging furniture and everything else that goes along with any move,” said Bruner.
He stated that it will probably be about a month before all of the “wrinkles” and details of the move will be sorted out, then a grand opening will be scheduled to celebrate the new location, most likely in July or early August. Seeing the facility completed is nearly overwhelming to the Bruner family.
“It’s really gratifying to see how hard everybody has worked for the past six years to get us to this point,” said Bruner. “It’s humbling too, to see how many families this facility will impact, not only of the employees but also in the community.”
Bruner explained that over 400 unique subcontractors have been used during the construction of the facility, both local and from across the state. He stated that the facility has taken the community into consideration as they planned the details of the two dealerships, making room for a community area on the complex (to be finished in the near future) which will offer a place for activities such as car shows, musical events, or soccer practice for those who needed a place for their event.
“We want to be able to share what resources we have with the community,” said Bruner.
When asked what part of the new facilities is his personal favorite, Bruner stated, “The customer lounges, because they are very comfortable and inviting.” He explained that each have comfortable seating and room to relax, television, and even a place for the kids to play.
Bruner explained that this is the first new construction he has been involved with since joining the family business; however the last Bruner dealership to be newly constructed was in 1969 under his father Dwain Bruner’s leadership.
A special thanks from Bruner was given to Aldersgate and First United Methodist Church for supplying a shuttle bus for drivers transporting vehicles to the new lots.
“We are officially here although in transition,” said Bruner. “Next week we will be very transitional, but we are here. It’s been quite an adventure and I guess it’s official because even the coffee company is here,” he said with a smile.
Pictured above is Bruner Auto Family President Greg Bruner waving to drivers as they moved vehicles into the new dealership.
Pictured above are Bruner and wife Lynda at the Toyota store welcome desk.
New Toyota showroom
Toyota customer lounge
Unloading equipment at the Toyota service department
Bruner stands by a new vehicle in the GM lot as construction continues on the GM store.
A potential new customer arrives and speaks with Bruner and Toyota Sales Manager David Bohn.
Vehicles fill the lots at Bruner Toyota and Bruner Chevrolet in Early.
