Coastal Profiles

Matthew Stewart, Owner

Coastal's Owner Takes New Approach to Car Business

Even though Matthew Stewart started rebuilding engines while growing up in Norfolk's Larchmont neighborhood, he still doesn't like to get dirty.

That's why Coastal Import Auto Repair, Stewart's business, is spick-and-span.

Stewart, 55, who first tackled a '64 VW van he inherited from his folks, spent years covered in grease while learning the automotive business.

"I took engines apart and cleaned them. I got filthy," said Stewart about his first repair job at Motor Service and Parts that was on 38th Street. "I learned how things worked -from small to large.

After graduating from Norfolk Catholic High School, Belmont Abbey College and TCC's two-year automotive program, Stewart embarked on his career.

He married Kimberly in 1978 while working at Pits Stop on High Street in Portsmouth, putting engines together before landing at 21st Street Auto.

There, he worked for William Pillsbury, the late father of George Pillsbury, now a senior mechanic at Coastal.

Stewart, bought the business in 1983 and changed the name to Coastal Imports.

"We established a niche," Stewart said from his small office hidden in the middle of the garage. "During the 1970's, most of our customers were in the Navy, and they purchased cars overseas. When they were stationed in Norfolk, they had no one to fix their imported cars. That's how it all started."

One customer Stewart remembers well was a woman Navy captain, "the mom of the ship," he said. Coastal had taken care of her blue Triumph Spitfire for years before she had to ship it to New Orleans.

"The car fell out of the sling, the boatswain mate reported, and she was just devastated. You can imagine the rest of the story. She wanted advice. I'll never forget that she called to ask me if the car was totaled. I asked her how high it bounced," he said.

Just as Stewart, the father of two teen-aged sons, cares for his customers, he also cements long-term relationships with the nine Coastal employees.

When Stewart's not working, he and his family enjoy water sports at a vacation home in Lake Gaston. He also likes camping in his '89 VW bus.

After an adventure in California this summer, Stewart will head back to his hometown.

"I have the best customers in the world," he said. "It's a privilege to now help the third generation of families who rely on Coastal for their automotive repairs and maintenance."

And it all takes place in a clean garage.

It has taken me thirty (30) yeas to gather this group of talented individuals.

I could not be any happier.

Thank you for taking the time to read our web page about the Coastal Import Family.

Matthew Stewart
Owner

Anna Stewart, Service Advisor

Anna Never Encounters a Typical Day

One time a customer complained about an intermittent vibrating noise coming from under the dashboard. After investigating possible causes, the mechanic heard a cell phone in the glove box. Case solved.

This story illustrates how Anna Stewart's day is never routine.

As the service advisor, Stewart, 53, witnesses all kinds of funny happenings. From bats, frogs and lizards under hub caps to rats chewing electrical wires, it's all in a day's work.

Stewart, one of Matthew's six siblings, has worked in the automotive industry for 20 years. First at Coastal for 10, then for Phillips Automotive. She returned home to Coastal two years ago.

"I like the contact and interaction with the customers," said the Norfolk Catholic graduate. "I get satisfaction from helping them have a good experience because it's inconvenient and expensive to fix a car."

When Stewart, the mother of a grown son, is not answering questions and scheduling appointments at Coastal, she's often gardening around her Norfolk home.

Working with her brother again, she sees his commitment to Coastal's loyal clientele. "He is genuinely concerned about the car's welfare and the people's," she said. "He doesn't mind taking the time to explain things."

And what does she enjoy most at Coastal? "Cars are like people - they're all different."

Just like her work days.

Curtis Cobb, Service Manager

Curtis Cares about Cars and Customers

Before Curtis Cobb went to work at Coastal Imports, he called its owner, Matthew Stewart, a customer.

Cobb, 54, a native of Hawaii, worked at an imported auto parts warehouse distribution center before joining Coastal 12 years ago. "I sold Matthew parts," he said.

He has been part of the automotive industry for 38 years, beginning at the Navy Exchange Service Station while his father was in the Navy.

The Granby High School graduate spent 3 years at the Navy Exchange Automotive Distribution Center.

"I like cars," said Cobb, a Ghent resident . "I started tinkering with a VW Beetle when I first learned how to drive."

Now as the service manager, Cobb oversees the full operation - from scheduling and assigning techs to purchasing parts and inventory.

"I talk to the techs several times a day to find out their needs," he said.

"I love my job. I get to know the customers personally, talking one-on-one," Cobb said. "We offer honest opinions and don't do anything extra. Most of our work is on maintenance."

With his two sons in their 30s, Cobb likes to camp, fish and hunt.

But most of the time, Cobb is taking care of cars and customers at Coastal.

Jon Wolfinger, Mechanic

On-the-job Training Led to Coastal

Before working at Coastal, Jon Wolfinger worked in assembly and welding, built cranes, drove a forklift and laid concrete.

The former Sthil, Honeywell and Grove Worldwide employee went back to school about four years ago at TCC's automotive program. That's when a six-month "on-the-job" training stint at Coastal turned into a full-time job.

"I get along with everybody here," said Wolfinger, 34, who lives in Virginia Beach. "There's a family atmosphere."

Wolfinger, from a military family, got into car repair as a high school student at Ocean Lakes. "I put a new engine in an '83 Camaro," he said.

Now Wolfinger drives a VW; his wife, a Volvo SUV. They're in great condition.

But during the day, "check engine" lights mean it's time to trouble shoot a problem - a job Wolfinger enjoys more than any other technical job he's had.

Josh Nowell, Mechanic

Nowell Works on Different Modes of Transportation

Josh Nowell has moved from fixing bicycles to servicing autos. The 27-year-old Norfolk resident was service manager at Conte's Bike and Fitness on 21st Street before joining Coastal Import Auto Repair in October 2010.

"It's been a bit of a change," Nowell said. "But I learned a lot about mechanics on my motorcycles, a '72 Harley and a '76 Honda." As a motorcycle enthusiast, Nowell doesn't take any chances on the road. "You always ride defensively," he said.

Now Nowell is protecting customers and their families who depend on Coastal. Along with learning on his own, Nowell is taking automotive classes at TCC to bone up on the latest ways to service autos.

Nowell, who grew up in the Kempsville section of Virginia Beach, came to Coastal to apprentice under George Pillsbury, who's been working with owner Matthew Stewart since 1989. He learned more than just how to repair vehicles; he saw firsthand the "value of being honest." Nowell explained, "When we see something that is dangerous and needs to be fixed right away, we make sure the owner knows. But we don't ever do repairs that aren't necessary."

Married for a year to Emily, Nowell appreciates the "positive" work environment at Coastal. "Day in and day out, everyone who works here is friendly and nice," he said.

David Jancewicz, Mechanic

Looking Through the Windows at Coastal Showed Jancewicz a New Career Path

On Saturdays, David Jancewicz has a ritual. He and his 4-year-old daughter, Stella, walk to the synagogue past Coastal Import Auto Repair. They stop and peer through the garage windows to count the bays. Once, Matthew Stewart, Coastal's owner, spied them. And a relationship began.

"I had my eye on Coastal," said Jancewicz about looking for work as a mechanic. The 1993 Granby High School graduate had been working at dealerships in Newport News before joining Coastal in April 2011.

Once an aspiring painter, Jancewicz gave up his brushes and easels to pursue a career in automotives. "I didn't want to be a starving artist," he said.

Jancewicz, 36, worked on a 1971 gold Plymouth Valiant while he was in high school. "I have always loved tinkering with cars," he said.

His first job focused on antique car repair at the old Land Yachts in Virginia Beach. After working in Ohio and Florida at various dealerships, he moved back to his hometown in 2005.

Now he rides his bike to work at Coastal in just five minutes, and on weekends, he fixes up his house built in 1916.

While he appreciates the quality of his 1984 Volvo, he likes modern technology. "It's flat out better - more efficient and smarter - another layer of the challenge," he explained.

At Coastal, Jancewicz gets to work on all types of cars. From antiques to the latest models, they fill the garage that a dad and his daughter looked at each week. Now Jancewicz doesn't just walk by the building on 21st Street, he's part of the Coastal family.

Donna Consla, Business Manager

Coastal's Accountant Adds Up New Job

A year ago, Donna Consla got some bad news - her job at an accounting firm was downsized.

That same day she got some good news - Coastal needed a full-time accountant.

After four interviews with the owner, she landed the position at Coastal.

"This place reminds me of 'Cheers' where everybody knows your name," said Consla, 47, a Virginia Beach resident.

"People come in here and are greeted by name," she said. "That's a personal touch, and clients like it because they know they have a relationship with us."

In the bookkeeping business for 27 years, Consla likes how all the numbers come together on the corporate tax return. "You have a whole year's worth of numbers and it all makes sense at the end," she said.

When she's not delving in numbers, Consla, works out as a second-degree black belt with Taekwondo, a Korean form of martial arts. Bowling and camping also keep her, her husband and their two sons active.

Although she's a relatively new Coastal employee, she feels comfortable.

"Last Christmas, at the company dinner, it felt like family and that I'd been here for many years," she said.

George Pillsbury, Senior Mechanic

Pillsbury Calls Coastal Home

George Pillsbury has been at Coastal for so long it feels like home.

Pillsbury, 58, officially started with Coastal 21 years ago in 1989 when Matthew Stewart bought out a partner. But the Norfolk native actually began his association with the car repair business in 1979 when his father owned 21st Street Auto Repair, the previous shop at the site.

Specializing in older European models, Pillsbury holds the title of senior mechanic at Coastal. He's the go-to guy for other mechanics.

"I've always been mechanically inclined," said Pillsbury who now watches his 3-year-old grandson use his own set of tools.

"I like trouble shooting," said Pillsbury. Trying to reproduce the problems some customers complain about can be challenging. "I remember driving around trying to get a car to make a noise as I went over bumps," he said.

One customer Pillsbury was driving home on a dark cold morning said she didn't turn on the heat because the '66 VW would have to "work too hard," he recalled with a chuckle.

From VW Beetles to forklifts, Pillsbury has fixed them all during his 38-year career. He spent numerous years before Coastal at CFE Air Cargo.

When Pillsbury is not tinkering with cars, he works on stained-glass art, goes on mission trips with his church and serves on the board of PIN Ministries to help the homeless.

Pillsbury sums up his life and work in one word: contentment.

Especially at his home- away- from- home - Coastal.