Saratoga News

Photograph by Robert Scheer

Mark and Stephanie Brown hang out in one of the 13 high-end autos on display at Highline Imports. This one is a 1994 Ferrari 348GT/Competizione. Asking price: $195,000.

Highline Imports brings something new to Village

Auto brokerage includes accessories

By Sarah Lombardo

Saratoga residents Stephanie and Mark Brown have turned their hobby and skills into one of the newest businesses to grace the Saratoga Village. Highline Imports, the couple's auto brokerage, specializes in high-end vehicles such as Ferraris and Roll-Royces, as well as Ferrari accessories and apparel.

"I have the head for business, and he's the people person," Stephanie said.

The couple opened their doors on Big Basin Way Nov. 29 in the former location of Saratoga Wine and Spirits. Stephanie said they have received nothing but positive reactions from people who walk through the store, and sales figures so far seem to bear out that assertion. According to Stephanie, Highline has sold five cars since they opened--one for almost each week they've been in the Village.

Highline Imports was originally located in Campbell, but citing a lack of visibility there, Mark said they had been searching for a location in Saratoga for a few years. The Village, Stephanie said, with its boutiques and small shops, provided the atmosphere they wanted their store to have. They also felt that the location would provide the Village with something different. "From our point of view, we couldn't imagine why people just wouldn't love it," Stephanie said. "I think Saratoga needs more exciting things."

In addition, Mark said, a large number of their customers come from the Los Gatos, Saratoga and Monte Sereno area.

Mark, a self-described "car nut" who collected cars even as a student at Saratoga High School, has been in the auto business for about 13 years. He and Stephanie met at a local dealership and decided almost four years ago that they would try their hand at owning a brokerage.

Currently, the store has an inventory of 20 cars, 14 of which are displayed in Highline's almost 3,000-square-foot store. But, Stephanie pointed out, they also try to locate cars that are requested by customers but are not in the showroom.

Highline, Stephanie said, is also one of only two locations where Ferrari apparel can be purchased retail (the other is located in the East Bay) rather than through mail order. Highline carries sweatshirts, polo shirts, jackets, key chains, stickers, posters and umbrellas, among other items, and even has an order out for a shipment of teddy bears--all emblazoned with the Ferrari name. Prices range from $10 for a sticker set to $195 and $210 for jackets. Stephanie said she and Mark decided to carry the merchandise because it was something they really enjoyed themselves.

"I've been wanting to do it for a long time," she said. "There's a pretty large demand for it. Our customers love to wear it, and we love to wear it."

Stephanie said she also plans to get mannequins for the apparel and to create window displays, one of only a few ideas she said they are constantly coming up with to improve the store. "We are always thinking of new things to do or change," she said. "It's an everyday thing."

Highline Imports is located at 14429 Big Basin Way. Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday. The business is closed on Sunday. For more information, call 867-3035.

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