The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Continuing success
B’s Mobile Integration thriving at new location
Since their move to 763 Leona St. in Elyria early last year, B’s Mobile Integrations has continued to thrive in the car modification and repair world.
Company president Eric Balmert, a five-time world champion in the world of car modifications, has been running B’s since 2002.
“I was in (this business) for a long time, and I got out of it,” Balmert said. “(Then) I went ahead and opened up a store, thinking I could do this part time.”
A part-time venture it was not, as the business saw rapid success.
One of Balmert’s most recent locations inside Sheffield Shopping Center served his crew well for about seven years until the company outgrew it, he said.
From there, Balmert explained that the move to Elyria was a necessity. With only 2,400 square feet to work with in Sheffield, the team at B’s was sometimes forced to work outside, even in winter conditions.
“We knew we needed to make a move,” he said. “We opened the store here April 1, 2022. It took us a while to be able to get a temporary permit and so forth, but we (first moved) over here Jan. 1, 2022, and we love the store.”
Following the move to Elyria, B’s Mobile Integrations hit the ground running and got right back to business.
Balmert explained that the shop, once known for car stereo modifications, has branched out into a variety of other services.
“We do a lot of different things,” he said. “Remote starts, car alarms, car audio, accessories. We used to call ourselves B’s Car Stereo. We changed our name because we wanted people to ask the question, ‘Well, what all do you guys do?’ Because a lot of people didn’t even know what we did.”
The move came from a recent look at shop demographics, according to Balmert. He explained that the garage was serving mostly older adults, who might not be looking for stereo modifications.
“We found that our clientele really is between 35 and 55 (years old),” he said. “We change tail lights, headlights, fog lights. We do window tint and a whole bunch of other different things.”
Despite the desire to branch out, the heart of the operation is still in the modifications and accessories area, Balmert said.
“I’m good at it. I have five world titles,” he said. “I found out I was better than I thought I was, and it just kept snowballing.”
“We do a lot of different things. Remote starts, car alarms, car audio, accessories. We used to call ourselves B’s Car Stereo. We changed our name because we wanted people to ask the question, ‘Well, what all do you guys do?’ Because a lot of people didn’t even know what we did.”
— Eric Balmert