The doctor is in.
Justin Eimers of Tea recently opened the doors to the Glass Doctor, a franchise he owns with his wife, Jennifer. The Glass Doctor is a national chain, but the Tea couple’s location is the only one in South Dakota.
Eimers bought the franchise Feb. 4, but he’s not new to the auto glass business.
Eimers owned Eimers Auto Glass since 1999. He was the only employee and worked primarily from his home and vehicle.
Purchasing this franchise allowed him to expand his business.
He now specializes in auto, residential and commercial glass installations, as well as shower enclosures, custom mirrors and entry door glass.
Eimers offers his customers G12, a one-year warranty for road hazards he said only The Glass Doctor provides.
Eimers’ staff has expanded with the opening, too. He has a secretary, Pam Eich, to keep business items in stock and a second glass service technician, Tony Buehlmann. Both Eimers and Buehlmann are certified by the National Glass Association.
With a new location and expanded staff, Eimers said he hopes to be a well-known glass shop.
“Repair is number one,” Eimers said. “I do things fair and right the first time.”
Marty Anfinson, of the Tea-based car restoration business Straight Lines, has known and worked with Eimers for years. Eimers does all of Straight Lines’ glass work.
Dave Van Tol of Tea also takes advantage of Eimers business. Over the past five years, Eimers has installed windshields for trucks and other vehicles at VanderHaag’s Truck Sales and Equipment in Sioux Falls.
“He’s the best at what he does,” Van Tol said. “He’s efficient and on schedule.”
And as for Eimers new help,
“The new guy is doing well too. He really seems to be upholding to Justin’s level,” he said.
Eimers opened his store on 12th Street.
“Being on 12th Street has a vision,” he said. “I chose this side to keep the clientele that I have.”
Eimers said Tea residents frequently travel 12th Street, as well as his customers from the Mitchell and Parkston areas.
For Anfinson, the location won’t matter.
“He had a lot of customers before and he will continue to keep these customers because of the quality of work he does,” Anfinson said.
Eimers’ personality keeps the customers coming, too.
The Glass Doctor is open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and by appointment on Saturday.