Doors have swung open on the latest addition to a luxury auto mall, dubbbed the "Langley Collection," that's emerging in town.

No one travelling the Langley Bypass at Glover Road could miss the wealth of high-end car dealers gravitating to this community.

OpenRoad opened the BMW/Mini dealership last summer, and Gold Key Audi is currently under construction.

But last Friday, OpenRoad Auto Group announced the opening of its Infiniti store.

Join me in welcoming Christian Chia and his team to the neighbourhood.

OpenRoad Auto Group Ltd., a market-leading car retail and service centre group, shows that innovation is equal parts market insight and action, said Chia, OpenRoad's president.

In addition to celebrating the opening of the new Langley store, OpenRoad Auto Group also won Canadian automotive retail Innovator of the Year.

Chia was recognized by the highest board of recognition in the automotive industry - the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association - as he was awarded the 2012 Innovator of the Year.

Accepting his award, Chia said: "The time for a better guest experience is something we at OpenRoad have been chasing in earnest for the last few years now. From a few new flagship LEED-certified facilities, to back-to-back top ten rankings as the best employer in Canada, our commitment to improving the guest experience is receiving recognition, and I am thrilled to accept this on behalf of OpenRoad."

Innovation in the category of automotive retailing is a challenging endeavour, he said.

With a significant commitment to improved guest facilities, customer events, more open customer dialogue both online and in-store, he feels OpenRoad stands out as a modern car retailer.

In the same breath of accepting the award, Chia noted, "We are currently focused on opening a boutique Infiniti dealership in Langley. Infiniti is taking a different approach to luxury, and similarly for us at OpenRoad, we want to take a different approach to automotive retail."

OpenRoad Infiniti will officially celebrate its opening with two exciting events in early September.

"Experience the excitement of F1 racing as the Red Bull F1 Show Car makes its final pit stop in Canada at the store from Sept. 4 to 6.

During that same weekend, on Sept. 7 and 8, the public is invited to an open house event featuring local wine, artisan cheeses, and entertainment.

Developing a collaborative, hard-working, and fun workplace culture has also been an important part of OpenRoad's ongoing effort to improve the guest experience.

"The industry still has a negative stigma attached to it," said Chia.

Earlier this year, OpenRoad introduced its very own loyalty program, Club OpenRoad, as one of its many initiatives to align new car purchases with a car dealer experience that focuses on relationship-building and added value.

OpenRoad Auto Group Ltd. is a Canadian automotive retailer representing 10 import automotive brands.

Overwaitea lauded as leader

A Langley-based business has been recognized as an environmental leader by BC Hydro.

Overwaitea Food Group, owners of a number of grocery outlets including the Save-On and PriceSmart stores in Langley, has its head office in Walnut Grove.

It's this company that was ranked as one of 42 finalists in the ninth Power Smart Excellence Awards.

The bi-annual Power Smart Excellence Awards recognize best-in-class energy conservation leadership and innovation from BC Hydro customers in commercial, government, and industrial sectors as well as retail and industry partners.

Stay tuned, because the winners will be announced in October, and I suspect Langley's own Overwaitea could top this list.