Clint Hunter, manager of the recently opened O’Reilly Auto Parts located on Lincoln Avenue, is preparing a grand opening sale on Sept. 29.

The store plans big sales, drawings and giveaways to promote their store, which officially opened on Aug. 29.

This past December, Dogs ‘N Suds closed their doors, allowing O’Reilly to move into the vacant spot.

Hunter has been with O’Reilly for the past 16 years and became manager in 1998 at the Quincy, Ill. store.

Hunter has gained a lot of experience and has enjoyed the challenge of helping other people with their problems.

“It’s the fulfillment of being able to make someone happy, when they have a car that has broken down and being able to help them with something sometimes that they may or may not understand all that well,” said Hunter.

Hunter said having good customer service also includes admitting when the employee does not know the answer and direct them to someone who can answer their question, who may be a professional.

“You can guess and sell lots of parts but if you don’t take care of that customer and help them get their car fixed, you’re not doing a lot of good other than putting money in your in your cash drawer which is eventually going to lead to bad service,” said Hunter.

The store has nine employees, some with and without experience in working with auto supplies.

Jennifer Craig is an employee that has worked at O’Reilly for the past month.

Although she does not have a lot of experience working for an automotive supply store, she said she can rely on her co-workers who have been very helpful to her.

“It’s a very team oriented place. Everybody just works together,” said Craig.

O’Reilly’s is open from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Allison Twaits can be reached 581-7942 or altwaits@eiu.edu

Clint Hunter, store manager, looks up parts on the computer at O’Reilly’s Auto Parts in Charleston on Monday. Hunter has spent 16 years working for O’Reilly’s in various towns. (Kacie Berry

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