Hearing English spoken with a heavy French accent catches your ear upon entering Desert Dawg Auto Repair at 9521 Technology Drive.

After Al and Noreen Kurdzialek operated the business for 34 years, new owners, Yann and Laetitia Tisserand, acquired the auto repair shop April 1. Noreen has retired but Al is staying on to smooth the transition for two years.

The Tisserand family, including a 12-year-old son and seven-year-old daughter, moved to the United States from the Toulouse/Bordeaux region of southwest France.

Tisserand said he had a passion for repairing and racing cars although he owned and operated a grocery store. He began investigating business opportunities in the United States because he thought the French government stifled the entrepreneur spirit.

The couple researched the weather, economy and safe places to live in Arizona and Fountain Hills placed in the top 10 desired locations. They visited and liked what they saw.

A French television station network featured them in a documentary based on individuals changing their lifestyles to experience their dreams.

“It gets better day by day,” said Tisserand. Updating software and creating an active website is in the works.

To make a service appointment, call 480-837-3294.