DOVER — Come January, the capital of the First State will be home to the first AAA Mid-Atlantic Car Care Center in Delaware.

The building will be in the Greentree Shopping Plaza in Dover, replacing the long vacant Blockbuster video store.

The new center will offer car repair services for both members and non-members, in addition to roadside assistance and travel planning services currently offered to members.

The current AAA center, which offers travel assistance and insurance, will move into the new location as well.

“It gives us a better opportunity to interact with members and non-members alike,” said Jim Lardear, director of public and government affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic.

“Most know us the pre-eminent provider of roadside assistance, and we are proud that millions of people have had that level of trust in AAA over the years.

“But with the opening of this new car care center in Dover, our members and the general public can have that same level of trust and peace of mind with their vehicle maintenance, as we have nearly 140,000 members in Delaware.”

Also, because AAA will offer Saturday and Sunday hours, this is of particular convenience to those with families and traditional work hours, said Mr. Lardear.

Basic and plus members receive a 10 percent discount on repair labor, premier members receive a 12 percent discount and non-members will receive a one year, 12,000 mile warranty on repairs.

There are 22 car care centers across the AAA Mid-Atlantic service area, which includes New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia and Delaware. This first one opened in 2011.

The AAA Mid-Atlantic car care center services will include maintenance, diagnostics, and repairs such as tires, brakes, tune-ups, air conditioning and cooling systems, battery replacements, and electrical work.

The new AAA center will offer car repair services for both members and non-members, in addition to roadside assistance and travel planning services currently offered to members. It will be the first of its kind in Delaware. (Delaware State News/Arshon Howard)