By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
Hill City native Jerry Garrison began his career in the automotive glass industry shortly after high school, eventually securing a position at Kenny Chapman Auto Glass in Wichita.
"At that time, I got to meet Carter Collier. He became a great friend, he mentored me and taught me a lot about the glass business," Jerry said.
Advantage Glass Plus marked its grand reopening and customer appreciation day on Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Chamber in Hays. Jerry and his son Nathan Garrison were showered with love from family and customers.
Jerry's longtime friend, Collier, passed away in 2014 after they worked together at the family-owned Massa Glass in Colorado. After some persuasion, the two relocated once more to open a store in Hays.
Safelite Auto Glass, a national chain, later acquired Massa Glass, where Jerry continued working until he decided to take a different route.
"I did not like the corporate world or the way they operated," Jerry said. "Between Collier and another investor, we started Advantage Glass Plus in 1992 and have been going ever since."
Jerry prioritized customer care and meeting their needs in any way possible. With the support of his family, Jerry and his wife, Dee Garrison, opened Advantage Glass Plus at 4310 Vine St. In 2005, it relocated to its current address at 1005 Vine St.
Construction for the expansion and remodel began in spring 2023. The project added 800 square feet to the showroom and front offices, and about 4,000 square feet to the north side of the original shop.
"We finally decided to expand, offer more services and help everybody else so we needed a bigger building," Nathan said.
The business has grown to offer automotive and truck accessories, window tinting, golf carts, trailer sales and rhino linings. Jerry’s son, Branden Garrison, does paintless dent repair.
These expansions also include new services like windshield calibration, which is essential for keeping up with the latest automotive technology, driven by Nathan and his younger mindset.
"A lot of newer vehicles these days, some will drive themselves... a lot of people don't realize the camera is built into the windshield or it's mounted inside the windshield," Nathan said.
Several customers, including Ellis County Commissioner Neal Younger, praised Advantage Glass Plus for its reliability, outstanding service and long-standing commitment to the community.
"Whenever I needed anything, Jerry and Nathan were there. Thank you guys for being so supportive of Hays and all the things you do," Younger said.
Family members reflected on Advantage Glass's influence on their lives, with one of Jerry's grandchildren showing gratitude for the business as a foundation for her and other young relatives' personal growth.
"I think all of us grandkids can thank Grandpa Jerry and Uncle Nate for all this," she said. "We all worked here where we've taken some kind of role. That kind of got us started and showed us leadership."
The grand reopening featured raffle prizes and lunch from Smokin Co. BBQ. To celebrate, the shop is offering 10% off window tinting for the rest of the month, along with limited-time discounts of 5% off bed covers and 5% off running boards and nerf bars.
You can visit Advantage Glass Plus of Hays Inc.'s website for more information and follow them on Facebook.