Chamber Awards Gala 2011: Chamber honors Heritage Auto

Prepared by the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce will honor nine businesses and individuals at its annual Chamber Awards Gala, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 4, at the Niagara Falls Country Club in Lewiston.

The evening is one of the chamber's highlights of the year. It's held to celebrate the business community and those citizens who help contribute to the success of the region.

In this week's Sentinel, we finish our profiles.

The Youngstown Business and Professional Association has chosen Heritage Auto Service and Repair as the 2011 Youngstown Business of the Year. Heritage Auto, located on Lockport Street in the heart of the Village of Youngstown, is operated and managed by owner Vince Burke with Richard Hastings as a partner of the business. Tim Boos and Mike Cutlip are the two full-time technicians on staff.

Heritage Auto repairs just about everything on all makes and models. They have a commitment to providing excellent service as well as keeping their customers happy. Most of their loyal customers are from Youngstown and Lewiston, but many also drive in from Buffalo and other areas of the region. Many customers appreciate the straightforward information given to them about their vehicles that Heritage Auto provides. Their customers trust them and know that the staff will fix the problem right away and make it right.

Looking at the array of vehicles outside Heritage Auto, one can tell that their areas of expertise vary greatly from the different makes and models they service. Burke states that the staff is always on top of vehicle trends, studying everything from fuel mileage to understanding the computers that vehicles use to better service them. There is no slow time at Heritage Auto; they find that they are busy all year long with repairs, oil changes, inspections and just about everything except fixing transmissions.

Heritage Auto has been a part of owner Burke's life for the past 16 years. In his spare time, he works on his other hobby that still relates to cars ... British car restoration. He has also spent the last two years taking lessons to work on his bagpipe skills and is actively involved in the Youngstown Lions Club. He has held officer positions with the Lions Club, ranging from past president (twice), to past treasurer and has even had the honor of receiving the Lion of the Year Award two years in a row. Burke shares his life with his wife Cindy and their four children, Sarah, Stephanie, Kathryn and David.

Open five days a week from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Heritage Auto Service and Repair is located at 201 Lockport St., in the Village of Youngstown. Stop by and say "hi" or give them a call at 745-1220.

The Youngstown Business & Professional Association and the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce proudly congratulate Heritage Auto Service and Repair as the 2011 Youngstown Business of the Year.