Rainbow Chevrolet welcomes community in for day of great food, obstacle races and fabulous deals

Published 12:30 pm Tuesday, May 21, 2019

LAPLACE — New Rainbow Chevrolet general manager William Holmes sees the dealership as an open door to the community, whether people come to purchase a car, service a vehicle or simply talk with friends.

Holmes was deeply engrained in his community while working at Gerry Lane Chevrolet in Baton Rouge, and he hopes to build upon the welcoming atmosphere at 2020 W. Airline Highway in LaPlace.

Guests will be treated to a blowout inventory sale, free jambalaya and pastalaya, food trucks, local vendors and an exhilarating obstacle course challenge for all ages on Saturday (May 25) at Rainbow Chevrolet’s momentous 21st anniversary celebration.

“My hope is for a day of fun and competition,” Holmes said. “I don’t want customers to see us as just a place where you come and buy a car. This is a place where you come and visit your friends. More than anything, I want people to feel like the door’s always open here.”

General manager William Holmes strives to bring the community together at Rainbow Chevrolet.

Three inflatable obstacle courses, including Red Stick Entertainment’s 100-feet Warrior dash, will be set up in the used car lot on side of Rainbow Chevrolet. An obstacle course for young children will also be available, Holmes said.

The larger course will see individual and team races from the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, the St. John Office of Fire Services, local schools and any community members who sign up.

Rainbow Chevrolet’s family tradition started when owner Lloyd Guillot opened the LaPlace location in 1998. Approximately 30 employees wrote their names on American flag cake toppers so everyone could claim a stake in the new organization.

Employees wear shirts reading “Rainbow Automotive Family” and remain active in the community by participating in Relay for Life and sponsoring youth baseball and basketball teams.

A new customer appreciation breakfast tradition began this year, and Holmes said there are plans to continue outreach events at least twice per quarter.

Holmes said Rainbow Chevrolet stepped up the car buying game by ushering in “the precursor to automated cars.”

New Chevrolet models have adaptive cruise control features that respond to changing speeds and lane assist to prevent drivers from drifting out of the lane.

The team at Rainbow Chevrolet includes Chris Paciera, from left, Olivia Johnson and Danielle Coburn.

Vehicles range in price from $4,000 to $70,000, with options to fit any lifestyle and budget.

In addition to wholesale and supplier pricing, Holmes said Rainbow Chevrolet offers first time buyer programs, second chance lending and competitive rates for A-rated customers.

Rainbow Chevrolet employee Danielle Coburn said the dealership has a full-service shop and a body shop to meet customer needs.

“We go above and beyond to try to help our customers in any way that we possibly can,” Coburn said. “We take all makes and models. We also have a shuttle. If you bring your vehicle in and you don’t have a ride home, someone here can bring you home and pick you up when your vehicle is done.”

Coburn said events like Saturday’s anniversary celebration place Rainbow Chevrolet closer to the heart of the community.

Food truck vendors are invited from as far as New Orleans and Baton Rouge, and local Boy Scouts troops will be on-site with a shooting range.

Obstacle course sign-up for individuals and teams is available the day of the event.

Rainbow Chevrolet store hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for service and 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. for sales.