BUSINESS FEATURE MBC Service Center
Bachelor’s Degrees NOW @ ACC “I worked here 11 hours a day for 35 years,” Salem said, adding he recently is beginning to slow down and decided to close MBC on Saturdays. Salem attributes the success to being friendly with his customers and only using high-quality products. He keeps bags of chips and cookies and a fridge full of cold sodas in the lobby for customers to snack on, free of charge, while MBC xes their vehicles. “I started being very friendly with customers. We treat everybody fairly, and we never did any type of advertisement, just word of mouth,” Salem said. Now, Salem says 90% of his business is from repeat customers. “Even people who move out to P ugerville will come back here,” he said. MBC Service Center handles all car maintenance needs, including oil changes, state inspections, brake diagnosis and air conditioning xes. It is the only shop in the neighborhood with a certi ed mechanic, Salem said. Local car repair shop provides friendly service for over 30 years W hen Elie Salem visited Austin in 1987, he thought it was going to be temporary. Salem—a native of Lebanon—was living in Dubai when he came to Austin to see a friend. After facing issues with his travels, however, a quick trip turned into a permanent stay in Austin. In need of work, Salem turned to his friend and experienced mechanic Michel Dib to start MBC Service Center. “We struggled for the rst ve to six years,” Salem said. “People were taking advantage of me, and there was competition, three gas stations around me.” But after ve years of learning the ropes, MBC gained traction, and Salem was able to buy the business from Dib. BY KATY MCAFEE
MBC Service Center opened in 1987 as a mechanic shop, body shop and convenience store.
PHOTOS BY KATY MCAFEE COMMUNITY IMPACT
Elie Salem moved from Dubai to Austin in 1987 and opened MBC Service Center just a few months later.
MBC Service Center handles a wide range of services including oil changes, tire rotations and more.
DISCERNING THE SYMBOLS Here are four common dashboard symbols Elie Salem notices and what they mean.
The check engine light
The wrench shows the car needs routine maintenance such as an oil change.
Check the pressure of each tire. The recommended PSI is often located on the inside of the driver’s door.
There is a problem with the anti-brake lock system, which helps the driver steer during an emergency.
often requires a diagnosis from a mechanic.
MBC Service Center 1801 Briarcli Blvd., Austin 512-929-0309 Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Sat.-Sun.
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