Batteries of all kinds at Batteries Plus
May 20, 2008

With 12,000 different kinds of batteries available, there's not much that can't be found at the Batteries Plus franchise, which opened April 2 at 1690 Tamiami Trail near Perkins Restaurant in Port Charlotte.

The store represents a true family operation, including Ingrid Brummett, her husband, Tom Brummett; her brother, Tracy Helling, and her father, Oscar Helling. The Brummetts relocated to Arcadia with their two children and seven horses from Tucson, Ariz. Oscar is formerly from Mankato, Minn., and Tracy from Traverse City, Mich.

Batteries Plus is described as the nation's largest chain focused on the $24 billion battery category with more than 325 locations in 41 states and Puerto Rico. Family members researched the company and found owning a franchise to be "a very good business model and something we were excited to do," Tom said.

QUESTION: Tell me about Batteries Plus.

TOM: We serve both retail and commercial customers, providing a one-stop source to fulfill all of their battery needs. We have single batteries all the way to huge generator batteries and everything in between.

Batteries Plus has developed a stronghold in communities nationwide with a distinctive niche that offers a comprehensive selection of batteries, battery-related products and technical support. Our store provides the equipment and expertise on-site to assemble, test, condition and rebuild custom battery packs for rechargeable household and commercial products.

We recycle lead-based batteries. We also focus on serving the senior citizen community by offering home service calls to install batteries in medical equipment such as wheelchairs.

Q: You carry hard-to-find items.

TOM: Products include literally thousands of batteries for thousands of items, ranging from common items such as watches, cameras and cordless telephones to larynx batteries for electronic voice boxes, solar landscape lights, talking books for children and keyless entry door locks at hotels.

The product line includes batteries for both the common and hard-to-find items that are traditionally not available at other retail stores.

Q: What has been the big seller so far?

TOM: The biggest so far has been backup batteries for alarm systems and computer systems. Those go out every three to five years, and when they do go out, they start beeping at you so you'll know right away what is happening.

INGRID: In an age of increased portability, our society is dependent on batteries. Batteries Plus provides unmatched service and expertise, along with batteries of virtually every shape and size. We look forward to meeting the ongoing battery needs of the Port Charlotte community, from the consumer seeking simple batteries for common items or automotive needs, to the business owner or large entity needing ongoing, more complex battery services.