J&C Auto Parts – NAPA’s Home in Central

By Mia Freneaux

    It’s good to know when you’re doing a good job.  It’s even better when you’re doing such a good job, your company offers you a new store wherever you’d like it!  Such was the case with James and Christine Guillaume, who owned a NAPA store in Jackson.  NAPA was so impressed with their professionalism that they gave the Guillaumes the opportunity to build a new store wherever they had an open market.  Now THAT’S confidence!  The Guillaumes studied their options and chose Central.  The new city offered the community and values they were looking for. After doing a demographics study, NAPA approved the new store site.

    There are 6000 NAPA stores in the country, either company owned or individually owned.  They are extremely selective when choosing whom they will allow to own a NAPA store.  “They’re looking for people with good business sense,” Christine shared, “Everyone being considered has to interview with the management, because NAPA wants to maintain a certain caliber and standard for those they allow to represent their company.  They’re looking for people with a stable lifestyle who have good values and a good work ethic.” She and James have been married 32 years, James runs the stores and Christine works as a dental hygienist with Dr. Robert Westerman in Baton Rouge.

    The Guillaumes credit a Higher Authority when it came to finding their location.  “We started looking for a location over 2 years ago.  There was nothing available.” James remembered, “Then one of our parts salesmen suggested the store owned by Ray Bonura on Joor Road.  It was perfect, but we were 2nd on the list in applicants.  When Ray, who owned Central Automotive Parts at that location for years, saw that we were in the same business, he selected us.  He’s a regular visitor.”

    James and Christine’s business, J & C Auto Parts, offers not only automotive parts, but boat, heavy duty truck, heavy equipment, farm equipment and tractor, and RV parts.  They have access to over 350,000 parts!  “We have 64 distribution centers to pull from,” James informed, “If it’s not in our stock, we can have it to you overnight in most cases.  We’ll find it for you one way or another, and at the best competitive prices!” 

    In addition, J and C Auto Parts offers battery, starter motor and alternator testing.  They make hydraulic hoses in house.  They also do onsite inventory for customers for inventory control, making sure the customer’s inventory is up to date.  They will stock specialty items for commercial accounts such as construction companies and trucking companies.  Their manager, Sean Fabre, has been in the parts business 14 years, and their assistant manager, Lainie Monceaux, has 10 years of experience and comes from a family that owned a NAPA store.  They are both ASE certified.  James stated, “Our staff are the best parts people around.  Because of this, we know that everyone who does business with us gets superior service.  Our two delivery drivers will deliver your part within 30 minutes of your order. Our customer always comes first.”

    James and Christine shared how they have become involved in the Central community.  They have sponsored 3 Little League teams, Cooking In Central, the Relay for Life, the Greenwell Springs Youth Riders, the St. Jude’s Bike A Thon, and have joined the Chamber of Commerce.  “We try to represent the values of the Central community.  Central supports us, and we do our very best to give back to Central.”

    J & C Auto Parts is open 7:30-5:30 M-F, and 7:30-3:00 Sat.  They can open earlier if necessary!  9344A Joor Rd. 262-6730.