“Quality work is important to me,” says Anthony Waltz, owner of ATW Door Systems. “This is my hometown and my business and customers are like family.”
ATW (Waltz’s initials) installs and services a full line of garage doors, including commercial overhead doors, mini storage doors, home garage doors, plus a variety of warehouse, sectional and heavy-duty applications. Waltz offers a free on-site evaluation. He matches the look and the budget to the customer’s needs. Waltz’s hallmark is customer service. He winces at the “handyman” approach to door maintenance, including what he calls “YouTube home mechanics.”
ATW’s website has some testimonials. Waltz has built his reputation by word of mouth. “I have a lot of referrals and regular contracts,” Waltz says. For example, some businesses (such as car dealerships or government facilities) have a lot of doors that receive regular use. Routine maintenance assures consistent performance.
“A homeowner should also maintain his garage doors and do a routine checkup of the operation,” Waltz says. “That way you avoid the inconvenience of failure with your car locked in.” Waltz recommends an annual checkup by a professional (not unlike car maintenance).
Waltz is a car enthusiast. “In high school I had a job as a lot attendant at a major car dealership. It was a dream job for me,” he says. He still has the first truck he owned—a Ford F150. “Over the years I have owned more than 50 cars,” he says. He currently has seven vehicles, mostly trucks. He enjoys cleaning, maintaining and restoring them. What is his dream car? “I would like to have a 1970 Chevelle—and a Corvette,” he says with a smile. His personal car now is the 07 Chevy Z71.
Waltz started as a garage door salesman. He realized that he would be a better salesman if he knew how to install the doors. Coming from an entrepreneurial tradition (his father Tom is a partner in Campana and Waltz Real Estate), he wanted to have his own business. “My father encouraged me, and I took advantage of an opportunity that came my way.” Waltz has two employees. “Casey Bishop has been instrumental in my success,” he adds. “We have a combined experience of 26 years.”
Some new-home builders are regular clients. “About 30 percent of my business is commercial and 70 percent is residential,” says Waltz. He does some custom work too. “One homeowner wanted a cedar garage door. No installation is ‘standard.’ There are always variables. An average residential installation will take approximately 2½ hours, which includes removing the old door and reviewing the instructions with the homeowner.”
Waltz plans to expand his business slowly. “Right now, I am concentrating on building my reputation for doing quality work. It is also important to spend time with family.
”Waltz’s wife Sophia has been very supportive. Her father was the late Gregory Becouvarakis, who owned Gus’s Place in downtown Newport News. Sophia is of Greek heritage, and Waltz says with a laugh, “Yes, our wedding was a lot like the movie ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding.’” The couple has a son who is 9 months old. “He is the first grandchild on both sides of the family. “I was about to buy a boat when she gave me the news,” he says. The baby’s middle name is Paul, continuing a family tradition that has spanned six generations. “He is saying ‘da-da’ now,” says Waltz. “I can’t wait to buy him his first car!”
ATW Door Systems LLC
Address: 133-4 Powhatan Springs Rd., Williamsburg VA 23188
Phone: 757-871-8474 or 757-871-4199
Contact: Anthony Waltz, owner
Email: anthonyatwds@gmail.comWebsite: www.atwdoorsystems.com
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