A1 Automotive owner gives car to Pepe’s Bistro owner


Owner of A1 Automotive Kendall Warnock (right) gifted Pepe’s Bistro owner Pepe Fierro with a used car in early July.
Pepe’s Bistro and A1 Automotive have something in common; they’re two small Lincoln businesses built on generosity. For the vegan restaurant and auto shop, all it takes is upstanding neighbors, good timing and a lot of gratitude for the community.
At the beginning of July, Kendall Warnock, owner of A1 Automotive, gifted an SUV to Pepe Fierro, the owner of Pepe’s Bistro, who was in dire need of a new mode of transportation.
Fierro has been long-known for loving his community at 1131 S. 11th St. The small business owner has hosted countless fundraisers and provides a space for aspiring artists, but he’s not the kind to ask for help.
“One of the biggest hurdles is learning to ask for help. It’s OK to ask for help,” Fierro said.
When Fierro’s beloved Dodge Caravan was “on its last leg,” he posted on social media looking to purchase a used hatchback or SUV. He relied on the caravan for groceries and more importantly, to transport his 87-year-old mother to her doctor appointments.
Warnock happened to be scrolling through Facebook when he came across the post from the restaurant owner looking to purchase a vehicle. Although Warnock and Fierro’s businesses were just a few blocks apart, the two had never formally met.
“I’ve heard of his name before, I knew that he was a big giver in the community,” Warnock said. “That’s what attracted me immediately.”
In good timing, less than 48 hours prior to seeing Pepe’s post, A1 Automotive purchased a damaged 2007 Ford Edge. The Ford, like other cars Warnock has received, are brought in requiring extensive repairs that the owners decide not to fix. Instead, A1 Automotive purchases the car for a “fair price” before gifting the car.
“The intent is to give it to somebody that doesn’t have transportation,” Warnock said. “To fix it, to use our skill set, and then give it to somebody in need.”
Each year, Warnock gives away around four to six cars depending on how many cars are discarded at the auto repair shop at 1117 L St.
“From my perspective, we’re put on this earth to help others and if we can be of assistance to anybody out there, that’s part of my journey in life to help others,” Warnock said.
Warnock reached out to Fierro over Facebook Messenger before offering up the Ford.
“He asked me, ‘how much,’ and I said, ‘I’m going to give it to you,’” Warnock said. “Those are really the success stories that I’m super grateful to be a part of.”
Giving back to others was a value instilled at a young age for Warnock. Growing up in a small village on a reservation, Warnock said his family relied on food stamps and help from other people to keep the water running and food on the table.
“We had to lean on each other within the community because none of us had a whole lot,” Warnock said.
Now as a business owner, Warnock said he wakes up every day looking to better the community. He rallied his team and ordered the parts, determined to make a difference for Fierro and his mother.
Owner of A1 Automotive Kendall Warnock gifted Pepe’s Bistro owner Pepe Fierro with a car.
On July 3, the repaired vehicle was presented to Fierro.
“I’m still smiling,” Warnock said recalling Fierro grinning as he drove away. “I wanted to make a difference in his life, and I’d do it another 10 times this year if God allows me to. I’d do it 20 times if he allowed me to.”
A week after receiving the Ford Edge, Fierro still can’t believe Warnock’s kind-heartedness.
“It was hard for it to sink in,” Fierro said. “I was just in disbelief, I still am.”
Twenty years ago, when Fierro first moved to Lincoln, he was living out of his car. Now, the generosity will help Fierro continue doing what he loves — helping others.
“This car is going to really change things,” Fierro said. “Kendall’s gift is life-changing. It’s going to enable me to keep doing what I’m doing and then some.”
Such as traveling to Omaha with frozen food deliveries and safely transporting his mother to appointments.
“I told Kendall, ‘You guys have burritos forever man, I’ll be dropping them off at random times,’” Fierro said.
Top Journal Star photos for July 2024

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Husker volleyball player Rebekah Allick (left) and her brother Josiah, a former Nebraska men’s basketball player, celebrate lighting the caldron to kick off the Cornhusker State Games during an opening ceremony Thursday outside Pinnacle Bank Arena. The Allick siblings were the honorary torch lighters for the 40th annual sporting competition. More than 8,000 athletes are expected to compete in the games, which take place through July 21 in Lincoln, Omaha, Columbus, Fremont, Grand Island, North Platte and other surrounding communities. Athletes will compete in 70 sports at more than 50 venues.

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People watch the fireworks display during the Uncle Sam Jam Independence Day Celebration on Wednesday at Oak Lake Park.

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Guest walk to the bandshell while wearing Fourth of July-themed hats during Seward’s 156th annual Fourth of July celebration on Thursday, July 4, 2024.

Lincoln Gift of Denver, 3, eats a vanilla sprinkle ice cream cone from Zesto on Friday.

Kennard and Cathy Pischel (from left) pose for a portrait outside of their Lincoln home on Wednesday. The couple adorns their front yard with flags, weather permitting, for patriotic holidays including Memorial Day, Flag Day, Labor Day and the Fourth of July.

Two joggers (bottom) make their way past a large tree that was twisted from the ground and blocked access to Huntington Avenue near Nebraska Wesleyan University following Monday night’s storm on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Lincoln.

Joshua Morales (second from left), 17, embraces a friend near the scene of a shooting Friday in Crete. Seven people were injured, including four children, and the suspect shot and killed himself, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.

Carpet Land’s Owen Laessig (center) raises the Mike Peterson/Coach K Tournament championship plaque after the Rugs defeated Papillion on Sunday at Den Hartog Field.

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Tama Krings of Lincoln, (from left), shops for fireworks with her grandchildren Naya Martinez, 10, and Jace Krings, 14, at Wild Willy’s Fireworks on Monday in Eagle. Stands in Lincoln can begin selling fireworks Wednesday.

Shaquille O’Neal performs as DJ Diesel to a sold-out crowd on Saturday at the Royal Grove.

Pinnacle Bank’s Braylon Lewis (1) creates a makeshift rally cap with his teammates sunglasses in the seventh inning during a Mike Peterson/Coach K Tournament game at Den Hartog Field on Saturday, June 29, 2024, in Lincoln.

As the sun sets, Rod Lantis (from left) and Lincoln local Tom Zwiebel prepare the fuses of fireworks before an evening show for the Lincoln Saltodgs outside of Haymarket Park on Friday.

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Reach the writer at 402-473-7241 or [email protected]. On Twitter @ajohnson6170
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