Got Car Cares? Call Blair’s!
by Cate Murway
The urgent message of the last two decades
has been to round up every breathing body
and send it to college.
The image of the future was somehow
to take leave of material reality and
saunter about in a pure information economy.
This has not come to pass.
Fundamentally, now as ever,
somebody has to actually do things:
fix our cars, for example.
A car mechanics’ trade association reports
that repair shops have seen their business
jump significantly in the current “recession”.
People aren’t buying new cars on impulse;
they are repairing the ones they own.
“I proudly operate the automotive business my grandfather started in 1952, my father took over in 1964, and I presently manage.
When I think about it, it’s a very special privilege for me considering the business is 50+ years old in this great town of Bristol Borough.” Anthony “Tony” Capriotti
Blair’s Auto service has been proudly “takin’ care of business” since 1952.
The original building was located on Pond and Market Streets.
The family business has been at the current Beaver Street location since 2001.
3rd Class Petty Officer Blair Capriotti, Jr., BHS ’60, a Navy ADJ jet mechanic
and patrol bomber aircrew member, has worked in the family auto service business
since 1964. His late parents were the car shop founder
Blair B. and Natalie [Casmirri] Capriotti one of 10 children,
who taught sewing at St. Ann School, Levine’s Fabrics
in the Levittown Shopping Center and in their home
through the Bucks County Cooperative Extension.
Blair, Jr. who grew up on Garden Street, is a former member of the Bristol Exchange Club. His Naval career took him to Whidbey Island, Washington; a small training base in Kodiak, AK; and Okinawa, Japan and he lost an eye in a service-connected accident when it was irreparably damaged.
Blair and his wife, Virginia “Ginny” [Geier] have several children.
The 2nd of the 7 children is owner/manager Anthony Capriotti, Pennsbury ’87, who has worked at the auto service since he graduated. Tony cooked at “Cesare’s Italian Specialties Ristorante” [the closest thing to home cooking!] throughout his senior year but reevaluated his career decision, and joined his dad at the shop. Information technology has the surprising effect of making the manual trades, car repair, for instance, more attractive as careers.
He and his wife Theresa Christine [Hucaluk] have 6 children: Marissa [10], Anthony, Jr. [6] Gianni [3], and triplets, Brooke, Megan and Corine [18m]. Tony’s brother, Michael “Mike” also works in this family car repair business.
"I’m proud that the business my grandfather and uncle started is staying in the family by being passed down to the next generation." Nicole Marie Gottsabend, BHS ’10 yearbook team, daughter of Annette [Capriotti] and Joseph John “Buddy” Gottsabend
There are a plethora of repair shops within miles of historic Bristol on the Delaware.
Why should car owners bring their vehicles to Blair’s?
“We are a family business that’s been around 50+ years in Bristol Borough. I treat every customer with respect, just as I would like to be treated and every vehicle as if it were my own. We are here to service your vehicle and would like to keep you a happy repeat customer. We’re reliable and honest. We have the knowledge and equipment to fix your car right the first time. We have a waiting room if you wish to wait while your vehicle is being repaired. I consider our shop one of the cleanest around. Today’s vehicles aren’t cheap. I think customers appreciate bringing their vehicle to a clean shop. We’re here to keep your vehicle safe, reliable and dependable,” shared Tony.
The Blair Auto Service highly trained, certified and professional technician mechanics are knowledgeably able to work on the new cars, using the latest computer hardware and software to diagnose your vehicle.
“People want to know that we can work on the new cars. We have the training and the equipment.”
The foundation of any business is customer loyalty, which is the result of customers developing a trusting
relationship with a particular company. Confidence is established when the company provides ethical and excellent service.
The Capriotti family feels very fortunate to have such a strong customer base, in some cases, third generation families
still coming in for automotive repairs. Blair’s Auto Service is mostly marketed by word of mouth. Each year they host
a special holiday party in their garage to thank the faithful customers for their business. Over the years,
it has kept growing from just a little something to "give back".
“We have the best customers around!”
Welcome to Blair’s Auto Service. They are a full service, automotive repair and maintenance shop serving the Bristol area for many years with consistent and friendly service. Their professionalism helps set them apart from the rest. Come in for all of your maintenance and repair needs. They are an ACDelco Repair Center and ASE Certified Shop, able to provide you with the highest quality service and they use only the best professional quality parts.
The Capriotti family knows how busy you are and their goal is to help keep your vehicle in top condition. They offer early bird and night-owl drop-box and towing service.
And for those who can't wait for their car, they offer a courtesy shuttle [Blair, Jr.]!
Your safety and comfort is their #1 concern.
Their 2 bays accommodate general auto repair, state inspection, brakes, tune-ups, tires, emissions, shocks and general maintenance.
Pennco Tech brings their cars to Blair’s for repairs! They also service the Bristol Environmental, Inc. and the Bristol Borough police vehicles.
Blair’s Auto Service promises that your service experience will be hassle-free.
They send reminders when you’re due for an oil change and service or when your vehicle should be inspected.
“We offer free service reminders--when it is time for maintenance, we remember for you!”
As the customer, you can access MyCar on their website blairsautoservice.mechanicnet.com to keep track of expenses and data related to your vehicle(s).
Blair’s Auto Service is a member of the “Bumper to Bumper” Automotive alliance and they pride themselves on responding to the individual automotive needs of each customer and providing proven, quality service.
The Capriotti family appreciates the town. They show their vested interest in the Borough with their generous gifts, sponsoring a baseball team for the Bristol Borough Little League, contributing to the yearly “Shop with a Cop” program and by donating door prizes for the St. Ann summer carnival. The BHS yearbook sports their sponsorship ads since for many high school yearbook teams, the financial requirements of creating a well-made keepsake can be a challenge.
It is vital that we continue to work together. Support your local businesses.
Mention this "spotlight" and receive $5.00 off any service.
Blair’s Auto Service
State Inspection Station #1409
Monday-Friday 8:00a.m.- 5:00p.m.
Saturday 8:00a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
[closed 2nd Saturday of every month]
1127 Beaver Street
Bristol, PA 19007-3233
215.788.7875
fax: 215.788.0270
Recommend a "spotlight": e-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com.
Mike, Blair Jr., Tony
After a devastating fire, friends help Blair Capriotti rebuild his business. Bristol Pilot 4.10.86
Blair Capriotti Jr. of Bristol Borough passed away Thursday, March 24, 2011, at St. Mary Hospital in Langhorne, surrounded by his loving family. He was 68
Born and raised in Bristol Borough, he was the owner and operator of Blair's Auto in Bristol Borough, which was founded by his father in 1952, and is still operated by his sons today.
Blair was a U.S. Navy Air Corps veteran of the Vietnam Era.
He was an avid fisherman, and loved fishing with his wife, children and grandchildren.
He also enjoyed hunting, riding his Harley, playing the lottery, and having morning coffee with his buddies.
Blair was preceded in death by his parents, Blair Sr. and Natalie Capriotti.
He will be greatly missed by his devoted wife of 33 years, Virginia 'Ginny' (Geier); his sons, Blair III (Kelly) and their children, Blair IV, Melanie Jo and Nicole; Tony (Theresa) and their children, Marissa, Anthony Jr., Gianni, Brooke, Megan and Corine; Scott (Lee Ann) and their children, Dominique, Dean, Colton and Faye; Mark (Courtney) and their daughter, Francesca; Michael (Julie) and their daughters, Kaylie, Alison and Lauren; Raymond (Amy); and Blair's only daughter, Suzanne (Scott) and their daughter, Brianna.
He also is survived by his sisters, Brenda Cento (Vinnie), Diane Barbetta (Bert), Natalie Marucci (Dave), and Annette Gottsabend (the late Buddy), many nieces and nephews; the Mead Family; and good friends, especially Tony Tiso whom he thought of as a son; and his beloved cat, Boggie.
Relatives and friends are invited to call from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 2, at the Galzerano Funeral Home, 3500 Bristol-Oxford Valley Road, Levittown. Mass and memorial services will be conducted at noon at St. James Episcopal Church, 225 Walnut St., Bristol Borough.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be sent to the American Cancer Society, or to St. James the Greater Episcopal Church. Galzerano Funeral Home, Levittown
