Henry M. Wallis, Jr. - Owner/ GM
228-344-3277
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Henry M Wallis, Jr. was raised on the West Bank of New Orleans and is a proud graduate of Archbishop Shaw. He has a BS from UNLV in Hotel, Rest, Tourism Management. He is married to Bonney Wallis and between both of them they have 3 children. He resides in Diamondhead, MS. His brother Eric owns a Finance Company on the coast and his sister Kim is a Physical Therapist in Gulfport. His parents retired to the coast over 20 years ago. Henry Sr. has been in the consumer finance business his entire adult life and is one of the Founders of Crescent Bank & Trust out of New Orleans. So the car business has been part of Henry Jr's life since birth. Henry Jr after graduating college went to work for Bennigan's Restaurant and started as a MIT & ten years latter when he left he was a Multi-Unit GM and had won general manager of the yr 2x. Then he went to work for Landry's Seafood House as GM in Austin TX and worked there the next 5 years. When he left he was the East Coast Regional Mgr Supervising all 11 Landry's East of the Miss River. Next Henry went to work for Bonefish Grill and was the 7th Managing Partner in the company and he opened the Bonefish Grill In the Dr. Phillips Area of Orlando FL. He worked for Bonefish Grill for three years and during his tenure His Restaurant was Voted Best Seafood Restaurant in Orlando by the Orlando Sentinel. Having spent 20 years Managing Corporate restaurants Henry decided to open his own Restaurant in Downtown New Orleans called Crescent City Cafe. After 2 years of being open he sold the restaurant to Chef Paul Prudhomme. This marked the end of Henry's Restaurant career 25 years managing restaurants all over the US was fun but it was time for Henry's next chapters in life. Henry had his First Biological Child at the age of 40 Zaylan and he didn't want to be in the restaurant business with a new son. He often says his restaurant's were his children, his wife, and family for 25 years. This Chapter was a rap!
So new son, no job (b/c he sold his restaurant), Henry needed a career change. He went to work for Larry Verges & Eric Wallis as a collection Supervisor of a newly Created Sub Prime Finance Company out of New Orleans National Auto Finance/ National Auto Acceptance Finance/ Redemption Finance. He worked for them for the next ten years at one point had a percentage ownership in a loan servicing company that spun off from the finance company. After 10 years the finance company started to slow down do to National competition coming into the market. It was time to start looking for his next endeavor.
So Henry was looking for work and had 2 options. He was either gonna open a Marco's Pizza Franchise in Baton Rouge or open a car dealership in Bay St Louis, MS. He opted for the car dealership and all didn't start off well. When he first opened he strictly sold the repoes of the finance company he use to work for. The first 3 months open he only sold 3 cars. His heart wasn't in it b/c he didn't believe in the direction of the car dealership. So Month 4 Henry decided to push his chips all in and changed the course of his dealership and changed the entire business plan. He decided to do BHPH his way and a way he felt good promoting to the community. On Henry's BHPH Plan 1) He don't run any ones credit 2) He don't require full coverage insurance 3) He don't charge fees or interest 0%. The majority of his cars are paid off in 12 months or less. That Month 4 after changing his business plan he sold 22 cars and as they say the rest is history. The 1st full year open he sold 348 cars. Year 2 he sold 450 cars. Year 3 he purchased a new Building that he owns and no longer leases at 5061 Whitney St Bay St. Louis, MS 39520. In year 3 he sold 507 cars for the year. Henry is an out going, Loud, Loving, Family Man, and has a heart of Gold. He is happily married to the love of his life Bonney Jean. Henry talks to everyone and is still actively involved in the management of the dealership. He loves the area and one day will ease into retirement but not anytime soon. He loves Life and he loves his Dealership. He says when you feel good about what you do, you treat people rite, and you care about the community the community has a way of blessing you back. He is a firm believer in KARMA! HE LIVES HERE, HE DRIVES HERE, HE GOES TO CHURCH HERE, AND ALL HIS SIBLINGS AND THERE FAMILY LIVE HERE. HE IS VERY PROUD OF HIS BUSINESS AND WHAT HE HAS CREATED AND LOOKS FORWARD TO GETTING EVEN BIGGER AND BETTER IN THE FUTURE! HE ALSO FEELS BLESSED THE COMMUNITY AND HIS LOYAL CUSTOMERS CONTINUE TO PUT THERE TRUST IN HIM!! When you put positive energy out into the community it has a way of reciprocating back. You ever have a question or concern don't hesitate to call Henry. HE ISN'T LIKE MOST CAR DEALERS HAVING SPENT 25 YEARS OF HIS LIFE MANAGING RESTAURANTS. SO AT HIS CORE HE IS SERVICE ORIENTATED. NOW HE DOES EXPECT YOU TO PAY YOUR CAR NOTE!!! Thrifty Used Cars & Tires does its best to try to be upfront transparent and fair in all of its dealings. The doors are always open and they will gladly answer any questions or concerns. They look forward to being your car dealer of choice for many years to come!! HENRY'S DEALERSHIP THRIFTY USED CARS & TIRES LLC. MORE THAN ANYTHING HAS BEEN A TRUE LABOR OF LOVE!!!
