By Dan Murphy
For any small business to survive, and thrive, for 30 years is a remarkable accomplishment, especially in today’s economic climate and competitive and ever changing business world. Top Class Limo, located at 24 Ashburton Avenue in Yonkers, recently celebrated 30 years of limosine service not only to the people of Yonkers, but to customers in Westchester, New York City and the tri-state area.
We asked owner John Khader and Operations Manager Lauren Khader, what is the secret of their success. “Perserverence,” said John Khader. “I am always thinking about how to be innovative and different from the competition. The Limo market has changed dramatically over the 30 years that I have been in business, from regular size limo to ultra-stretch limos, and over the past 5 years, to a party bus-limo.”
Top Class and Khader offer their customers a wide array of choices for their events and special days. From Rolls’ Royce to a fleet of limos, to something new in the market and unique for the area… trolleys.
Weddings are the bread and butter of any limo company and Top Class in no exception. In fact, Top Class has become the #1 destination for weddings in Westchester, and has been named by Westchester Magazine as a voters choice Best of Westchester, in addition to being on the Yonkers Chamber of Commerce list for best Limo Company for many years.
“Wedding predominately make up our service –market. Dollar for dollar there is more money in the wedding market and its more lucrative. But it’s a specialized market that is seasonal, it runs from April to November. I was never interested in airport and corporate services,” said John Khader.
The other ‘challenge’ to serving hundreds of wedding customers every year is the demands of the bride, and sometimes the groom. Top Class Operations Manager Lauren Khader is the go to person for every nervous bride, that wants everything done right for her wedding.
“We are seeing a lot of different trends in the wedding industry in Westchester,” said Lauren Khader, who was been with Top Class for 16 years. “They are using more buses and trolley, which are used as guest shuttles. People are still getting married but the experience that they want has changed.”
“We used to get a lot more bachelorette parties but now the girls are flying out to Vegas. So many other Limo companies have gone out of business. I always watch the competition to see what they are doing. But be careful which Limo company you pick for your big event; you may think you are getting a deal but they may go out of business.”
Top Class’ biggest way of advertisement is by “Word of mouth of our customers who are happy with our service,” said Lauren. “Quality and reliability is what we provide and our clients know that we are the wedding specialists.”
In today’s Westchester wedding environment, where sometimes money is no object, Top Class can give the bride a wide array of options. “Some brides want to do something different, so we have 3 trolleys available. That is something that no other Limo company has in Westchester and we are getting calls from Brooklyn and Long Island for weddings. We experimented with it and it became popular for bar hoping and chamber events and for bridal parties. Everyone can have a party bus, but this is something unique, which is what some brides are looking for. It ads character to the wedding,” said Lauren.
Another popular Top Class option are their antique Rolls Roycesx, which stand out and which many of us in Yonkers have seen driving to or from their garage to an event. “The Rolls Royce Phantom, is an eye catcher. We bought it ten years ago and its still like new today, and its very popular for brides taking their drive to the church,” said Lauren Khader. “We also have a 1950 Rolls Royce convertible. The brides love it because it’s a 4 passenger and they can take their mom and dad. We are also doing a lot of New York City weddings with our Rolls’ “
Top Class now has 7 different Rolls Royces, including a 1963 Silver ‘Grey Poupon’ car, named after the commercial it was in. This vehicle was also used in a Denzel Washington movie—don’t know the movie—take it out? A 1936 Buick, nicknamed the Bugsy Siegel care, is also a popular choice for many customers.
In addition to the best selection of vehicles in Yonkers and Westchester, Top Class offers the best customer service, thanks to Lauren, who is always available for the nervous bridge and can be found texting throughout the day and night. “More and more people are emailing and texting. It’s the new way to meet your clients needs. Our biggest compliment is our responsiveness. Emotions run high with weddings, so we want to make it as easy as possible,” said Lauren, who added that Top Class does not offer online booking, because they want to personalize the experience and make sure that they know what their clients want but also, that there clients know what they are purchasing.
John Khader explained that the Limo market continues to change. “People don’t go to Atlantic City or out to dinner in a limo anymore, they jump in an Uber and go. The stretch limo market is gone. I sit on the TLC commission and watch the trends. If you see a limo in Manhattan, they are tourists, they don’t come from Westchester anymore. Ever since the economic crash in 2008, people are still nervous and not spending like they used to.”
It is this type of foresight, and knowledge of his business and competition, that has kept John Khader and Top Class Limo in business for 30 years. “When I started I never thought that I would make it 30 years. My first 10 years was a struggle. If it wasn’t for my family helping out I wouldn’t have made it, and Lauren has been the backbone of my service and helping day to day with brides, who can be super demanding.”
“I’m proud to say that we have the largest in house selection of vehicles, and a diversified fleet, and I’m proud that we have the largest selection of Rolls Royces, which have always been an iconic part of the wedding market. They never get outdated and they get better as the year’s go by. They are the #1 request for brides today,” said John Khader.
John started out in the Limo business as a driver in the Bronx for a company named High Class Limo, and then worked for First Class Limo in New Rochelle. “I wanted Class in my name and it had to be different. So Top Class was what I came up with.”
Top Class has always been located in Yonkers, at four different locations, and at their current Ashburton Avenue location since 1997. The 10,000 square foot building that the company owns affords Khader the ability to keep most of his vehicles in one location, where they can be repaired and maintained. “I want to thank my customers and clients over the past 30 years. Thanks for the business and the support and the referrals. Over 50% of our business is referrals from friends and clients. You are my biggest source of business and I appreciate it.”
Khader also thanked Mayor Mike Spano for helping move Yonkers forward. “Being in business for 30 years and surviving four different Mayor’s, the current administration is business friendly and Yonkers is better off now than it was 12 years ago. A majority of our business comes from Yonkers so its important that the City is on the right track, and it’s a better place to live, work and play.”
Mayor Spano presented Khader with a City Proclamation last month and said, “Congratulations to CEO and President of TopClass Limo, John Khader for 30 years of business in The City of Yonkers. Top Class Limousine epitomizes precisely what all companies strive for — great success and longevity. Once again, congrats to you and your entire staff on 30 years of service to Yonkers and Westchester County!”
We also offer our thanks and congratulations to Top Class Limousine, for their longevity and success. Someday, (hopefully not soon!) I will be calling you Lauren, when my 16 year old daughter Katie is ready to walk down the aisle.
Top Class Limousine can be reached at 914-423-CARS (2277) and topclasslimo.com.
