Relay Hill Auto has acquired Arvada Square Auto, expanding its footprint across metro Denver and strengthening its commitment to people-centered automotive care. Founded in 1984, Arvada Square Auto earned a loyal following for honest repairs and exceptional service. Under Relay Hill Auto, the shop will continue serving local residents with the same trusted technicians and transparent approach to maintenance and repair.
Shiju Thomas, CEO of Relay Hill Auto, stated that building community in the neighborhoods they serve and within their shops is their purpose. He noted that Arvada Square Auto represents that same commitment to character, integrity, and excellence. Thomas emphasized that their growth is not about size, but about impact—creating workplaces where people thrive and customers feel genuinely cared for.
This acquisition matters because it represents a strategic consolidation in the automotive service industry that prioritizes preserving local business identities while implementing technological advancements. For Denver-area residents, it means continued access to trusted neighborhood mechanics with enhanced capabilities, potentially leading to more efficient and transparent service experiences. The industry implication is a model of growth that values community integration over corporate homogenization.
Earlier in 2025, the team celebrated Grady Ford's 20-year anniversary with Arvada Square Auto. As a Service Advisor, he has consistently taken care of guests in Arvada and Wheat Ridge with friendly customer service, advanced automotive expertise, and consistent transparency. He welcomed the acquisition and stated that they have always prioritized doing right by their customers and the community. Ford noted that the Relay Hill team has brought in new technologies like digital vehicle inspections that better prepare them to serve customers for the next 40 years.
The introduction of digital vehicle inspections represents a significant advancement for customers, providing clearer documentation of vehicle issues and recommended repairs. This transparency addresses common consumer concerns in the automotive repair industry about trust and communication. For the broader industry, such technological adoption by community-focused shops suggests a trend toward combining traditional service values with modern tools.
Up next, the Relay Hill leadership team plans to pursue a property renovation in 2026 with the support of Arvada Urban Renewal District and Arvada Economic Development Association. The intention is to modernize the aesthetics and function of the property which neighbors one of Denver's most ambitious improvement projects, Ralston Creek Development. This planned renovation at https://www.relayhillauto.com aligns with broader urban development efforts in the region.
The business and property acquisition aligns with Relay Hill Auto's strategy of preserving local brands while elevating industry standards through training, ethics, and hospitality-grade service. Relay Hill now operates six shops across Denver, Lakewood, Westminster, and Arvada, including Advanced Transmission Center, Hotchkiss Auto Repair, and Applewood Auto Care. Each location remains locally managed and community driven.
This expansion model has implications for how service businesses can grow while maintaining local character. For consumers, it offers the potential benefit of consistent service standards across multiple locations without sacrificing neighborhood familiarity. The automotive service industry, often fragmented with independent shops, may see this as a viable alternative to national chain consolidation.
Relay Hill Auto is a Colorado-based automotive enterprise founded on principles of integrity, education, and community engagement. Its mission is to merge technical excellence with a hospitality mindset, offering customers a trusted and welcoming auto service experience. This acquisition demonstrates how regional automotive businesses can expand their reach while deepening their community connections through strategic partnerships and technological investment.
