Going the extra mile -- Airport lot also offers car wash, oil change

Johanna Ellis logged plenty of travel miles through college andinto the years that followed, when she worked as a guest servicesspecialist for Mercedes Benz in San Diego, Calif.

So when it came time for her family to turn their formerChevrolet dealership, John Ellis Chevrolet near MemphisInternational Airport, into a new business, it was easy for her todecide which road to take.

She and her family transformed the property into Parkit Here,offering covered and uncovered airport parking. (Surface parkingcosts $7.50 a day; covered parking is $12 a day.) But Parkit Heregoes beyond parking. It offers customers a shuttle, car washesranging in price from $20 to $175, and oil change, valet and dry-cleaning services.

"For people who are traveling, their anxiety level is alreadyhigh," said the 28-year-old Tulane University communications major."The last thing they want is to have to get an oil change or gettheir car washed. "

Because Ellis' background was working as a delivery specialist inthe luxury-car industry, she is focused on guest services. Shetrained in a West Paces Hotel Group program, on the AuburnUniversity campus.

Customers at Parkit Here receive complimentary gourmet coffee,wireless Internet and a free key chain. Ellis says she'll make surethere's a Diet Coke in a customer's car if it's needed.

"We're on a first-name basis with many of our customers," Ellissaid. "We get Christmas cards from them."

Ellis passes along her hospitality-services training to heremployees .

"When we hire someone, it's not just to fill a seat," she said."We realize that every customer is a VIP - a Very Individual Person.

"And we're here 24 hours. We never close, not even on holidays ,"she said.

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Rsum

Name: Johanna Ellis

Age: 28

Profession: Owner, Parkit Here airport parking facility

Location: 3441 Airways, at the corner of Winchester and Airways

Phone: (877) PARKITX (727-5489)

Web site: parkitX.com

Residence: South Main, Downtown.

Education: B.A. in communications from Tulane University

Hobbies: Working out, going to see live music, and traveling,which can prove difficult. "It's not always the easiest thing tocome home. As soon as I arrive, I'm at work."