A HISTORIC Ford dealership that’s been in business for over 100 years is set to close after its owner was forced to make a “difficult decision.”
The much-loved business located in Holden, Massachusetts, celebrated its 100th anniversary back in March, but is now set to shut up shop for good before the end of the year.
A historic Ford dealership that’s been in business for over 100 years is set to close[/caption]
The much-loved business recently celebrated its 100th anniversary[/caption]
Sunnyside Ford, which first opened as a garage to service Ford Model T’s in 1923, first became a dealership in 1924.
Since then, it has successfully sold and serviced the famous car brand and is a well known feature of the town.
Speaking to Spectrum News 1, Sunnyside’s president and general manager Dan Harrington revealed how much vehicles had changed in the time he’d worked at the dealer, and opened up on the difficult decision he had to make to close his family business – which has spanned three generations.
He said: “It’s definitely been more complicated in the last 10 years or so, but I’m 74, so it’s time to retire.
“I remember the times, you know, you get in the car, you turn the key and boom, you forget your left gear and nothing jumps forward.
“Well, now they won’t do that on you.
“A lot of safety features that are great, some are a pain, I know a lot of people don’t like them, but they’re for the benefit of everybody.”
Sunnyside, which appears to employ 20 members of staff at its location on Main Street, broke the news to its customers in a heartfelt Facebook post.
They wrote: “We would like to share the news that Sunnyside Ford will close operations as of November 22, 2024.
“Sunnyside has been a proud local business, Ford dealer, and employer for over 100 years, and the decision to close was a very difficult one.
“We will miss our employees, customers, and being part of the Holden community.
“To our loyal employees and customers, thank you.”
Many comments responded to the news, with one Facebook user writing: “Say it’s not so! The Harrington family was wonderful to me during the 32 years I worked for them.
“I wish them and all my friends at Sunnyside the best for the years ahead.”
Another wrote: “I am very sad to hear this is the end of a 100-year run.
“It will be quite the adjustment to no longer see the Ford sign when we go down Main Street.”
And a third simply said: “Sunnyside is the best of the best.
“I bought every car I owned in Massachusetts from Sunnyside Ford, over 40 years.
“Always treated professionally both on sales and service. So sorry to hear this.”
Sunnyside’s opening in 1924 would’ve come towards the end of the Ford Model T’s popularity, which ran from 1908 to 1927.
The iconic vehicle is generally regarded as the very first mass-affordable automobile, and is the car that made motoring available to middle-class Americans.
In fact, over 15 million models were sold and it held the record as history‘s best-selling car until it was surpassed by the Volkswagen Beetle in 1972.
Nowadays, Ford sell nearly 2 million cars in the US each year.
This comes as a classic car enthusiast’s collection of 24 vehicles – including a Ford Model A and dashing red 1953 Sedan – have been sold at auction.
Collector Peter Learmont’s family decided to sell the collection, parked in the Learmont Pavilion at Sapphire Coast Historic Vehicle Club in Australia, after his death last year.
The issue affects a specific model, which is one of the major automaker’s best-sellers.
The long-running business started out selling and servicing the Ford Model T[/caption]
