Auto expansion

A Portland couple in has tripled the amount of NAPA Auto Parts locations it owns.

Matt and Jenny Glentzer in November acquired five NAPA stores in western Ohio to put their total ownership count up to seven.

“It’s been quite a jump,” said Matt, who alongside his wife has owned the NAPA stores at 401 N. Meridian St., Portland, and 566 U.S. 27, Berne, for nearly five years. They both said they are excited at the opportunity to expand their assets and that they are open to buying more stores if the newly acquired ones are successful.

The Glentzers said they plan to increase inventory and sell new products at each of their seven stores and that a daily shuttle will run from the NAPA distribution center in Fort Wayne to all seven stores as needed to replace inventory.

Jenny said the acquisition would not have been possible without the support of her stores’ employees.

“We want to thank our employees for everything they do, for helping us grow our business,” she said.

The newly acquired stores, all in Ohio, are in Celina, Coldwater, Greenville, Minster and Versailles. The store in Celina has a full service machine shop that all seven stores will have access to, said Jenny.

They bought the stores from brothers Kirt and Kyle Schritz, who will continue to work at the stores they just sold during the transition period.

“They are extremely customer focused and we are working hard to have a seamless change of ownership,” said the brothers in a press release.

The Glentzers, who have a combined experience in the auto parts business of more than 30 years, said they are committed to NAPA because of the name brand recognition and the quality of products offered by the company.