A long love of automobiles has led the Covert family to be one of the most successful car dealerships in Bastrop. Started by Frank Covert, the business has been passed down through almost six generations.
Community Impact sat down with Jennie Covert to learn more about the dealership and how it’s made a home in Bastrop.
How did Covert Chevrolet end up in Bastrop?
Covert: My dad, Rox, and his brothers, Duke and Danay, had one location on West Fifth Street in Austin, Covert Buick Isuzu, and wanted to grow their business. Austin was growing, along with other surrounding communities, so they started researching and thought Bastrop would be the perfect place to expand and a wonderful community to be a part of. In 1986, they bought an old pawn shop and converted it to a showroom and service and make-ready department, and got started with Chevrolet, Oldsmobile and Pontiacs. Later on, they built a new dealership and moved to a new location at 702 State Hwy. 71, Bastrop.
What are the dealership's community ties to Bastrop?
Covert: Covert Chevrolet has about 135 employees that live in Bastrop and the surrounding towns. We have some second and third generations of different families that work here.
How has the business become a community staple over the past 25 years?
Covert: We wouldn’t have made it out of the old pawn shop building to our current location without the support of the Bastrop community. People like Harold Farley, Harry Green, Dick Derleth, Richard and Lynne Williams were instrumental in introducing my family to community leaders and residents. The people of Bastrop gave us a chance at earning their trust, and we’ve been paying that favor forward ever since. What matters to our customers and community matters to us. We give back to organizations such as Bastrop Special Olympics, Bastrop High School Touchdown Club, The Bastrop Chamber of Commerce, Veterans Car Show, Bastrop FFA and many youth teams and sports organizations.
What services does the business offer?
Covert: We offer new and used car sales, a finance department that has built strong relationships with local banks and credit unions to ensure the best rates, and a service department staffed with GM Certified Master Technicians. We offer free loaner cars with free pickup and delivery as well as free delivery anywhere in Texas.
What is the most rewarding aspect of working in a family business?
Covert: By far the most rewarding aspect of working in a family business is having a support team that you can trust no matter what. This carries over to our employees that love their families just like we love ours. Because of that shared belief in family, that's how we treat our customers like family. We are a close family, and our individual families are close and best friends. We honor each other's differences and respect that everyone has something to bring to the table. That’s how we operate. Like a marriage, it’s a commitment.
To learn more about Covert Chevrolet of Bastrop and start your car journey with them, visit the website or call 877-392-9270.
The above story was produced by Community Impact's Senior Multi Platform Journalist Sierra Rozen with information solely provided by the local business as part of its "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
