In a town full of dealerships and cookie-cutter auto shops, Auto Fitness, located in Gainesville, Georgia, stands out as a family-owned, community-driven repair facility. Since opening its doors in 2014, the shop has built a reputation for trustworthy, high-quality service for all makes and models, from oil changes to engine and transmission work. Visit https://autofitness.net to book your appointment.

Pete Bowbliss serves as the manager and has been instrumental in shaping the shop’s customer-focused approach. After years in retail management with companies like Best Buy, OfficeMax, and Bed Bath & Beyond, Pete discovered his true passion in automotive repair. “I quickly realized I wished I had found this career earlier,” he says. “I love taking care of someone’s vehicle while building long-lasting, trust-based relationships with the community.”

Auto Fitness is home to an eight-person team who share a deep-rooted passion for cars, especially muscle cars and modified vehicles, which they see often at the shop. Pete emphasizes that what sets the shop apart isn’t just technical skill, but how they treat their customers. “Anyone can change oil or repair a car,” he says. “What matters is how you treat the customer. We want clients to come back because of how they were treated, not just because we did a fast oil change or brake job.” The shop prides itself on a clean, welcoming waiting area that smells like Macintosh apples instead of oil or brake grease, along with friendly greetings and personal attention.

Community engagement is a cornerstone of Auto Fitness. The shop supports the Cresswind Community Fund, which focuses on charitable, educational, health-related, and cultural opportunities for adults in Hall County. Auto Fitness also offers a free Automotive Life Skills program for teens to teach basic car maintenance and vehicle understanding. A mobile van allows the team to bring repairs directly to senior citizens who may not be able to visit the shop. “It’s really about anything we can impact in a positive way,” Pete explains.

Family plays an equally important role in Pete’s life. He and his wife Stephanie have been together for 13 years and have four children: Lindsey (27), Brittney (30), Kaelyn (22), and Brooks (19). They also have four grandchildren: Caleb, Skyler, Lula, and Lewis. Pete and Stephanie are active members of 12 Stone Church in Braselton, where Pete plays bass on the worship team. They also lead ReEngage, a biblically based program that helps couples navigate marriage and communicate effectively. Their 110-pound Johnson American Bully, Tyson, who came to Pete as a stray during a challenging time, is also a cherished part of the family. “Tyson has done more for my outlook on life than anything,” Pete says.

For Pete and the Auto Fitness team, the most fulfilling part of the job is the relationships they build. “The real reward is seeing customers return because they were treated fairly in a clean environment and their car was fixed right the first time.” 

Auto Fitness proves that a family-owned shop can provide more than just car repairs. With a focus on quality service, community involvement, and personal relationships, the shop has made a lasting impact in Gainesville, showing that good business and good values can go hand in hand.