Christian Brothers Automotive Opens First Florida Location in Land O' Lakes

There’s a new place to get your car serviced in Land O’ Lakes, and its owners and employees pride themselves on not being the fastest place in town.

, 23650 Venezia Drive, opened last week near the Terra Bella subdivision, just off State Road 54.

The nearly 5,000-square-foot location with nine service bays is the first Christian Brothers Automotive franchise in Florida. Owner Larry Giannone and his wife, Cindi, of Tampa decided to invest in the company “because of its values,” he said.

“It’s a faith-based franchise,” Giannone said. The honesty and integrity of the business is important to the 20-year automotive industry veteran.

So is making sure the job is done right the first time.

“We’re not a quick-service,” Giannone said. “An oil change will take about 40 minutes.”

Giannone said he will be onsite every day, and will drive customers “anywhere you need to go” in the company shuttle car. If you don’t want to wait while your car is serviced, whether its going to be 40 minutes or several hours, Giannone will drop you off back at home or a shopping center, then return to pick you up once your service is complete, he said.

If you choose to wait, the lobby features leather couches and free Wi-Fi, making it a comfortable spot to settle in and get some work done or surf the web.

And if they find something that needs to be repaired, the technicians won’t just tell you.

“We’ll show you,” service manager Don Kalogerson said. “We’re not about high-pressure sales.”

Christian Brothers Automotive is equipped to do everything a dealer can do, unlike most small auto repair shops, Giannone said.

The shop is equipped to “flash” vehicles’ computer systems—updating the software in a car, similar to a Windows update, Giannone said.

Something that might seem to need replacement or repair could be a simple fix with an update, Kalogerson said.

And if they find something on your vehicle that is still under warranty, a technician will alert you and make arrangements to drop off the vehicle at a dealer for you, Giannone said.

Christian Brothers Automotive is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

For more information, visit the Christian Brothers Automotive of Land O' Lakes Facebook page or call 813-949-0100.