By LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News

A new Dr. Beemer site is under construction along RM 620 near Steiner Ranch Boulevard and is expected to open in April with a focus on luxury vehicle repairs and maintenance.

“This new location will give us better visibility and access for our customer base in North and Northwest Austin and Lakeway,” said Jon Strelec, Dr. Beemer partner and resident of River Place.

“It will also open up new opportunities to provide a service to luxury vehicle owners who are looking for a faster, more reliable and cost effective solutions to their auto repair needs,” he said.

Strelec purchased land in January 2016 adjacent to to new SouthStar Bank site off of RM 620 near Steiner Ranch Boulevard.

He said permitting and development took a while but now construction is moving quickly and they are planning to open in two or three months.

Dr. Beemer focuses primarily on BMW, Mini and Land Rover repairs, maintenance and service. The local chain has also recently added Mercedes and Audi to the list of vehicles they specialize in.

“Basically any and all European luxury automobiles,” said Strelec,

President at The Tribeca Company.

“This shop will be eight bays that can double stack vehicles with a total of 14 – 16 lifts,” Strelec said. “We plan on bringing 10 – 12 new jobs to the area and are actively looking to hire experienced technicians.”

Brian McKinney — who is a BMW car guru and born and raised Austinite — founded Dr. Beemer in 2008 in South Austin off Slaughter Lane. Then the focus was on BMW/Mini repair, service and maintenance. McKinney rented space in the back of a body shop, enough for a couple lifts and a repair tech.

In 2012,  Strelec — also a born and raised Austinite — partnered with McKinney. They purchased a building on South 1st and Ralph Ablanedo at 8901 South 1st Street, just north of Slaughter. This larger location allowed them to expand to seven bays with six lifts in operation and eight employees.

“We tripled revenue by opening the new shop and business has been steadily growing since,” Strelec said. “We look forward to opening in Four Points.”