Tim Paap Expands Paap Auto Body with Satellite Locations for Enhanced Customer Convenience
In an innovative move to enhance customer convenience, Illinois-based shop owner Tim Paap is transforming former quick-lube locations into “concierge centers”—satellite facilities that streamline vehicle drop-off and pick-up while complementing operations at his main auto body shop.
A Strategic Expansion Model
Paap, who has successfully grown Paap Auto Body to an annual revenue of $3 million, opened his first concierge center three years ago in Charleston, Illinois. Now, he is actively scouting locations in four nearby cities for his next expansion, taking a strategic approach that involves analyzing traffic patterns, median income levels, and other demographic factors.
Rather than investing $3 million to build a full-scale repair facility, Paap has found success with his concierge model at a fraction of the cost—approximately $300,000 per location. His first center was an abandoned Jiffy Lube, repurposed to include drive-in estimating bays, rental services from his fleet of 11 Hyundais, PDR and PPF services, bumper cover replacements, and detailing. His next location will likely be a new build, taking about six months to complete.
Customer Convenience at the Forefront
The concierge centers allow customers to drop off and pick up vehicles at multiple locations, helping to ease the repair process. Rental vehicles, available to both customers and the public, add another revenue stream to the business. With well-organized logistics and an emphasis on clear communication, Paap ensures smooth vehicle transfers between sites.
Beyond repairs, these centers also serve as community hubs. The heated, open interior is available for car wash fundraisers by school teams and scout troops, as well as corporate and civic meetings, further solidifying Paap’s role as a community-focused business leader.
The Paap Auto Body Vision
Paap’s main location in Mattoon, Illinois, serves as the central hub in his growing network of satellite centers. Originally started in a two-car garage in 2001, the shop has expanded to 12,000 square feet with nearly a dozen employees, handling 25 to 30 cars per month and offering ADAS calibration, alignments, and glass repair services.
With a lifelong passion for cars—dating back to restoring a Mustang at age 13—Paap is building a business model that prioritizes efficiency, customer experience, and smart growth. His concierge centers are just the beginning of a broader expansion strategy that keeps both customers and operational costs in mind.
Stay tuned for updates as Paap continues to transform the collision repair experience, one concierge center at a time.
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