Gretna and the Gretna Auto Outlet have grown at a rate that matches that of their owner, Brian Gibbs. Once it began, there was no stopping it.
"I was buying and selling cars when I was 12, 13, 14 years old," says Gibbs. Growing up in Norfolk, he would travel with his father to Omaha to purchase vehicles, laying the groundwork for his future entrepreneurial journey. "After I graduated, I started a little business" at 18, beginning with a small lube and detail business, and by 19, he had opened his first dealership.
What began as a dozen cars in Norfolk in the late 1980s soon moved to a decade in Omaha, another five-year run in Blair, and eventually opening the Gretna Auto Outlet in 2012.
“Good things are coming for Gretna; it’s not a sleepy little town anymore,” Gibbs says, pointing to the expansion of the Nebraska Crossing Outlet Mall on the southern side of town and further developments soon to come. “Another five, ten, years from now, I cannot imagine what it will be like then.”
"What sets us apart is we're family-owned. I hand-pick most of the vehicles." The dealership now carries 250 cars, with unique features like a kids' area "with a literal arcade" and a coffee bar to allow for an enjoyable, fun experience for the whole family. "Customers don’t feel like it’s a stressful experience. We try not to make it that way; we want it to be a fun experience.”
The business caters primarily to families and workers, focusing on used SUVs and trucks, though Gibbs notes the occasional sports car or Jeep Wrangler to “try and keep it fun.” As for price range, Gibbs says Gretna Auto’s pricing strategy is flexible, typically ranging from $15,000 to $60,000, with a preference for the $20,000 to $35,000 range.
As Gibbs says, "Being in business for basically 38 years, we’ve been through a lot. I’m not saying we’re perfect, but we try to buy what fits for folks.”
Open seven days a week with indoor and outdoor viewing areas, Gibbs encourages potential customers to visit the auto outlet at 12190 S 216th Plaza and experience the small-town difference.
gretnaauto.com | 402.332.5868