"Many people are not comfortable going in to the shelter situation to adopt pets, but they are here," Crawfis said, as three kittens stared out of their cage forlornly at some new Jaguars. "Michael (Visocky) has been great about this."
Visocky is also completing renovations on the building. Improvements include new offices and a customer waiting area with windows that look in on the service department, and plasma screen televisions.
It's all part of the plan to put a premium on customer service.
"Not just basic service, but going above and beyond," Visocky said. "That's how you build a good business. When you buy a car or service a car here, you're part of our family."
He can tell it's working because the sales numbers have continued to grow. Land Rover sales have been up across the board, and Audi and Jaguar have been holding steady. Visocky also attributes that to having a positive attitude in the face of the economic downturn.
"What I try to portray to the sales people is: listening to the negatives that are going on in the market isn't going to help change anything," he said.
The three brands sold at the dealership also come with loyal customers, who are awaiting release of some of the new models.
"Audi is on fire," Visocky said, talking about the new A4.
Originally, a compact car, the 2009 A4 is now sleeker and sexier. It sits in the dealership awaiting a grand opening party that will be thrown for it on Oct. 15 The 2009 also sells for the same starting price as the 2008: $32,000.
There's also the new Jaguar XF, which is sportier than the old version.
"It's totally redesigned,"
The Visocky of the past got his start in sales by selling sporting goods in Milwaukee when he was 16 years old. A few years after that, he was selling Chryslers at the recommendation of a friend.
"I've always liked sales," he said. "I feel that's what I've grown up on. I've always been big on having new experiences, meeting new people. It's never boring."
In 2000, he moved up as a manager for Chrysler and also worked at Lincoln Mercury before moving to Florida in 2002, where he was a manager for Lexus. This time around, as an owner, he gets to call the shots. That's his favorite part of the job.
"I have the ability to make a difference,"
Visocky, who lives in Miromar Lakes, still goes back to Milwaukee once a year with his wife and two daughters (ages 2 and 1) to attend some of the summer festivals he remembers from his youth. In particular, they enjoy weeklong outdoor party/music festival called Summerfest.
When he's not working, Visocky is still getting acquainted with the area.
"I've done some fishing out on Fort Myers Beach," he said. "And I've spent some time out in Gulf Coast Town Center. It's a very nice place to have dinner and relax."
If you go
>>Where: Jaguar/ Land-Rover /Audi of Fort Myers at 15875 South Tamiami Trail
>>Details: Carrabba's will be serving food and The Cigar Bar employees will be hand-rolling cigars. There's no charge for the event, but RSVP at (239) 454-4444.
