GlassWorks was honored as the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year in 2007 and was Chamber President John Weiss’ selection for the 2008 President’s Award.
“In 2009, 2010 and 2011, we gave ourselves ‘We Survived’ awards,” joked owners Mick and Michelle Theis. “GlassWorks weathered the economy and is still alive, but we’re impacted by the construction industry. The economy has not been kind to contractors.”
In February 2003, the company opened at the prime location of Main Street and Quintana Road. Branding proclaimed to customers that GlassWorks offered windows, doors, shower doors and sliding doors. Signage told passers-by that GlassWorks intended to corner the market.
“While construction boomed, we grew,” Mick Theis said. “When the economy turned, we were just one piece of equipment away from manufacturing our own windows. Luckily my dad’s words reminded us how to survive. ‘Don’t forget how you got here,’ he’d say. We started with Michelle and I and one worker. It was time to pull back.”
Today, GlassWorks continues its family-owned business emphasizing customer service and product guarantees. Although downsized from 15 to five employees, the company has expanded into another marketplace with TireWorks.
“Last year, we bought Paso Robles Inc. out of bankruptcy and liquidated the company,” Theis said. “We inherited several vehicles that all needed new tires. Understanding today’s economy, we realized a market opportunity for affordable new and used tires existed in Morro Bay.
“We opened TireWorks across the street from GlassWorks. It was space we’d created to manufacture GlassWorks windows. Today, TireWorks is outpacing the growth we originally experienced with GlassWorks, making us wish we’d started selling tires sooner.
“Americans won’t stop driving their cars, but Americans want value and customer appreciation. That’s always been our business model.”
TireWorks is licensed by the Bureau of Automotive Repair, specializes in brakes and suspension and offers all automobile repair work.
“We found a niche servicing and repairing high-end models. We’ve worked on Rolls, a Bentley and Jaguars. Once we satisfied one customer, he told all his friends,” Theis said.
A chamber newsletter announced a consolidation move to 339 Quintana: “Why did GlassWorks cross the road? To keep our service high and pricing reasonable ... and, of course, to get to the other side.”
• • •
Morro Bay’s Business Expo & Mixer begins Thursday at 4 p.m. at the Community Center. Chamber Executive Director Craig Schmidt promises at least 28 businesses showcasing their goods and services at the free event, as well as “games with prizes, food, fashion, flu shots by Morro Bay Pharmacy and, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, the Food Bank will accept donations of food or cash.” For more information, visit www.morrobay.org or 772-4467.
Reach Judy Salamacha at judysalamacha@gmail.com or 801-1422.
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