“It’s all about taking care of our local customers,” American Glass Services owner Walter Bruce said when describing his business.
The Louisiana native has lived in Picayune for the past eight years. But in 2003, he, along with a couple of partners, opened the glass shop in Picayune.
There are two other locations in Gulfport and Fort Walton, Florida, all independent, but affiliated stores, Bruce said.
Bruce has been in the glass business for about 22 years. In order to learn in and outs of glasswork, he moved from Shreveport to Monroe.
“I learned the whole business, auto glass, outside residential and inside management,” he said. “Two weeks of each at a time.”
Bruce said his staff is trained to handle “anything with glass” from windshields and automobiles to residential and commercial glass. They also handle car door repairs, which can involve regulators and motors for power windows.
Bruce said they also work on motorhomes, campers and antique vehicles.
“When a customer calls, they tell us what they have, we give them a quote and if we have the glass in-stock, we complete the work on the same day,” Bruce said. “We don’t work by appointment.”
There are seven employees at American Glass, four that work in the back and three up front, Bruce said. Bruce said he has often been complimented by clients about American Glass’ customer service.
“Our customers service is what makes us stand out and we hear that quite often,” he said. “I don’t want to be the most expensive or cheapest, I want to be competitive. I don’t mind spending a little more money if someone takes care of me.”
Bruce serves clients within a 60-mile radius including, Slidell, New Orleans, Covington, Mandeville, Kiln, Waveland, Bay St. Louis, Hattiesburg, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Poplarville, McNeill and Lumberton.
When he first moved to Picayune, Bruce said he was looking for a change of scenery and found the hometown atmosphere of the area most appealing.
“I have a lot of loyal customers and they are the best part of our business,” Bruce said.
American Glass Services is located at 1301 S. Haugh Ave. and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact staff at 601-798-9640. Bruce also offers 24-hour emergency service.
For more information visit the Facebook page at American Glass Services.