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The Gerald family emerged on the Chicago auto scene in the 1930s. Over the past 80 years, some things remain constant, like the auto group’s commitment to customers and the community. In other areas, the group continues to advance.
This advancement is highlighted at its pair of Subaru locations: Gerald Subaru, located in Naperville, IL; and Gerald Subaru of North Aurora, IL. A remodel and new construction in 2016 sparked green changes for the pair of Chicago-area retailers.
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North Aurora’s facility underwent a complete remodel. General Manager Donna Lawler says the renovation served as the catalyst for the retailer’s eco-friendly focus—something that impacted building practices as well as the internal philosophy.
“When we moved we set the tone with our team that we wanted to do as much as we could to make a difference in our workplace,” she said.
While North Aurora renovated, Naperville opted for a new facility. “Our old location was over 50 years old, and I would imagine very little thought was put in to the design and its impact on the environment at the time it was built,” says Alec McKean, Gerald Subaru general manager.
Like Lawler, McKean points to the design of the new facility as the beginning of the store’s green focus.
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Left: TerraCycle bins at Gerald Subaru of North Aurora collect hard-to-recycle items like snack wrappers and disposable cups and lids. Right: Alec McKean, general manager at Gerald Subaru, next to the retailer’s eco display.
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Green design and construction
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Building advancements at North Aurora include LED lighting inside and out, as well as a new roof and new insulation, which help reduce energy drain. Naperville’s design included LED lighting combined with timers, along with strategies to maximize natural light. Other energy efficient technology in place at one or both locations include:
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- High efficiency HVAC
- Auto sensing faucets to minimize water waste
- Use of recycled bricks on interior walls
- Motion detectors on office lights
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Recycled bricks used on interior walls as part of North Aurora’s 2016 remodel.
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Green service
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Among the green practices at Gerald Subaru, the service areas incorporate innovative eco-friendly approaches.
“The building takes advantage of natural sunlight, especially in the shop where glass block provides a bright shop floor,” McKean says of the Naperville service department.
At North Aurora, Lawler reports, “We don’t have AC in the service bay area...” Instead, a large overhead fan keeps the area cool for service technicians and reduces energy use. She says another climate control strategy is the use of radiant heat in the service drive.
Waste oil, coolant and spent tires are recycled at both locations, as well as the use of high efficiency compressed air systems. In addition, Naperville’s service area features a water-efficient car wash.
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Good-bye plastic bottles
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“We wanted to cut down on water bottle usage throughout the dealership with employees as well as customers,” Lawler reported. The retailer decided to add a hot- and cold-water purifier in the North Aurora waiting room, reducing the amount of plastic bottle waste.
“I provide all employees with a Subaru water canteen that they use at work and fill with the water from the purifier,” she said. Customers can bring their own bottles or use recyclable paper cups provided in the waiting room.
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Protected wetland on site
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Both retailers are active in the local community, affirmed by their dual Love Promise Customer & Community Commitment awards.
A 125-acre protected wetland is located on the east end of North Aurora’s property. Lawler says it’s a windy area “so a lot of debris tends to collect in the wetland.”
“We have employees that will go out and clean the area when we notice that it is getting cluttered,” she continued. “We also have a Boy Scout troop that comes out a couple times a year to earn a badge by cleaning it as well.”
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A protected wetland on-site at Gerald Subaru of North Aurora is maintained by employees and a local Boy Scout group.
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The Naperville store is an active partner with The Conservation Foundation. McKean says it’s an organization “dedicated to preserving and restoring open space, protecting rivers and watersheds and promoting stewardship of the environment in northeastern Illinois.”
A Love Promise story from Scott L. with The Conservation Foundation explains how the retailer doesn’t simply support the group but “proactively contacts us about our programs before we can even reach out to them. They are the single most proactive corporate partner we have.”
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See more of the Gerald Auto Group’s community work. Catch an aerial
view of both Gerald Subaru locations here, and find out about
Naperville’s Subaru test track.
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