Chamber Names Business of the Year

The following is a press release from the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to working on over 550 cars a month, Dave, Laura and Jonathan Aloisio and the staff of Dave’s Automotive Repair Enterprise (DARE), West Chester go above and beyond when it comes to providing customer service and being involved in the community. This ability to cover all the bases when it comes to customer satisfaction is the reason the business has been successful for over 35 years.

It’s also the reason the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce (GWCC) named DARE its 2012 Business of the Year. The award, presented annually to a Chamber member for outstanding achievement in the business community and the Greater West Chester community-at-large, will be presented at a luncheon to be held Oct. 16, 2012 at Penn Oaks Golf Club.

“DARE is an outstanding business in so many ways,’’ said Mark Yoder, GWCC president. “The Aloisio Family knows how to do it all from taking care of cars, to taking care of customers, to caring about the community. They do it all and do it all well. The Chamber is proud to recognize them for their ongoing success and commitment to the greater West Chester community.’’

A native of Brooklyn, NY, Dave Aloisio grew up in Newark, NJ where his earliest ambition was to race cars. He joined the Marine Corps eight days after turning 17.  While stationed in North Carolina he met his first wife, Linda, who was from Kennett Square. Trained as an architectural draftsman in the Marines, Dave worked for an architectural firm in Wilm., DE after moving to Chester County after getting out of the service. He ended up working in the racing world where he learned to fix cars by being around them.

In 1976, he began repairing cars and rebuilding engines in his one-man automotive shop on Gay Street next to the D-K Diner. The business grew quickly and within eight months DARE moved to its current location on Bolmar and Union Streets. Dave’s son, Jonathan, started in the shop as a mechanic in 1987, working after class while he was still in high school. Daughter Laura came on board in 1998 to manage the business. Today, the family-owned and operated business includes 8 full-time and 2 part-time employees.

“We pride ourselves on personal service and customer satisfaction,” said Laura. “From oil changes to complete engine overhauls, our skilled technicians are versed in all types of diagnostic and automotive repair. Our goal is to have all our customers feel like they are an extended part of our family.”

DARE has always taken an active role in supporting local schools and organizations in particular the West Chester YMCA, where Dave now serves on the Board of Directors. DARE joined GWCC in 2009 and quickly began participating in a variety of events and programs including the Chamber’s Education Foundation, Golf Outing, Christmas Parade, $10Grand event and hosting and attending networking events.

After learning of the award, Dave said he couldn’t have been more surprised or delighted. 

“It is an honor to be chosen as Business of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce,” he said. “Having Laura and Jonathan taking over the business has afforded me the time to do the things I always wanted to do as far as  getting involved in the community and helping out. To me success is measured by what a company does for the community. I am truly honored to win this award and proud to be able to help out especially after being in the community for 37 years.”