If you need groceries, home goods and your iPhone screen replaced or repaired, you’re in luck: Atlanta-based device repair chain StayMobile has opened shops inside two area Wal-Mart stores to provide distraught tech owners quick, convenient fixes.
StayMobile opened shops at the Wal-Mart on Signal Mountain Road and the one in Brainerd behind Brainerd Village. They are the chain’s first stores in Chattanooga. StayMobile is designed to provide repair services in the time it takes to do routine shopping.
StayMobile has stores in 40 other markets around the eastern part of the U.S. The shops work on a walk-in basis, with techs normally able to make repairs in an hour or less. There are seven StayMobile locations in Tennessee.
StayMobile lead technician David Galeano repairs an iPhone 6 Tuesday inside the shop at the Brainerd Wal-Mart.tayMobile was founded in Columbia, S.C., in 2009 when its founders saw the rising prevalence and popularity of smartphones, with their fragile glass screens and breakable facades.
Today, the Pew Research Group estimates that two-thirds of Americans – or 222 million people – own smartphones.
At first, the StayMobile staff was two people. It was a true startup, says Chuck Morris, president, COO and co-founder. And a successful one, that’s now grown to nearly 100 employees and into several states.
Morris said company leaders liked Chattanooga’s Start-up and entrepreneurial culture.
“That’s important to us because we’re a start-up,” he said.
Chattanooga is also convenient to the company’s headquarters in Atlanta.
And while StayMobile premiered here with its store-in-a-store format, Morris said brick-and-mortar StayMobile locations are not out of the question going forward. He said Tennessee right now has the most StayMobile shops located inside Wal-Mart stores.
It’s a good way to gauge how consumers will respond and what kind of business StayMobile will be able to do in a market, he said.
While device repair is the bread and butter of StayMobile’s operations, the stores typically also sell device accessories, like chargers. StayMobile also offers state-level insurance protection for both new and existing devices. As everyday users depend more and more on their phones and tablets, it’s more important than ever to help them keep their devices going, said Morris.
“The big key is [damage] is so disruptive on an existing device,” he said.
StayMobile stores typically staff between three and five employees, but the company is always on the hunt for new additions.
“We’re always hiring,” said Morris. “We’re always looking for outstanding talent. We are always looking for, and we will find a place for great folks.”
Contact staff writer Alex Green at agreen@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6480.