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GROVES –Southeast Texas welcomes a new addition to its automotive repair landscape with the grand opening of CarStar in Groves, a locally owned and operated body shop blending national franchise support with decades of community connection.

The new 16,000-square-foot facility is owned and operated by Larry and Patti King, well-known local business leaders with a longstanding legacy in the region’s automotive industry. Their journey began at Energy Country Ford in Port Arthur, where they developed a reputation for dependable service and community involvement. After selling the dealership, the Kings retained the body shop operation and have now transitioned it into the CarStar network to better meet the demands of a rapidly evolving collision repair industry.

“We’re family owned and operated, even though it’s franchised — and our family has been in the community for over 70 years,” Patti King said. “We could have sold and just left. But here we go again, building another one. We love what we do.”

As insurance carriers increasingly prefer repair shops backed by national brands, the Kings saw an opportunity to expand their capabilities without sacrificing the personal, community-driven service that has defined their work for decades. The move seeks to bring the strength of a national franchise while maintaining the familiar faces that Southeast Texans know.

“We built this in Groves, and Groves has been absolutely fantastic,” said Larry King. “Anything we’ve needed, they’ve just, within their abilities, said yes. People stop in just because of how the building looks. Some of them are just stopping, wanting to see what’s new.”

The facility is equipped with cutting-edge repair technology designed to handle everything from minor dents to major structural repairs across all vehicle makes and models. New features include an Italian paint system, advanced ventilation, and fully air-conditioned work areas—improvements that support both efficiency and a safe, comfortable working environment.

“You’re not just fixing a car so it looks pretty driving down the road — we’re repairing a car so it crashes the way the manufacturer designed it to crash, should you have another accident,” said Larry King. “That’s the kind of responsibility we take seriously.”

To celebrate its launch, CarStar Groves will host a grand opening event on May 6, The celebration will include guided tours of the facility, live music, food, and door prizes.