Beloved car dealership closing for good on December 31 after 25 years as owner offers apology to customers
After around 25 years of operation, a beloved auto dealership is about to close permanently in a few weeks.
The store, which opened its doors in 1998, is about to close for good on New Year’s Eve. The proprietor informs its devoted patrons, “I can’t do this forever.”
On December 31, Bruce’s Lakeside Motors, which is situated on Route 22 in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, will close.
Bruce Pergament, the shop’s longtime owner, stated: It’s a decision that has included a great deal of prayer and introspection.
After opening in 1998, the company has moved several times before settling in Henderson Township in March 2020 to share office space with Car Care, owned by Scott Burnett.
In November 2021, Pergament took over the Car Care after Burnett retired, adding the words sales and service to Bruce’s Lakeside Motors.
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Bruce continued, “I decided to take on this business because I needed a place to have my cars inspected anyhow, and I felt there was still a need.”
However, a lot has changed in the last three years, including the used automobile industry.
He claimed that individuals have less money and are doing fewer jobs because prices have increased more quickly than earnings.
Take a peek at the companies that are cutting back.
He went on to say: I have five guys who rely on it in addition to myself, which is one of the reasons I have stayed this long.
We make an effort to maintain low costs. Particularly when it comes to used cars, our people are on par with or even better than others.
In recent years, Bruce has also had to contend with government rules and dealer competition.
He stated that $4,500 automobiles were removed 12–15 years ago as part of President Barack Obama’s Cash for Clunkers program.
People were able to maintain their businesses by offering high-quality secondhand autos for less than $3,000.
They have now gone out of business. They are unable to compete.
Franchise dealers now have several dealerships and single franchises selling used automobiles, while new car dealers closed and entered the used car market.
Cheap automobiles are no longer sold by anyone.
“I used to sell 15 to 20 cars a month, about 10 after the pandemic,” he continued.For a time, it worked well.
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Burnett, who still owns the property, is in charge of the building’s future and says that all he can do is apologize to customers.
He responded, “I want to apologize to my customers.” I can’t keep doing this.
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