Kennett auto dealership building new facility

Business Today

KENNETT -- Glen Sain Chevrolet, Oldsmobile and Cadillac is making preparations for a major change. The auto dealership will be moving from its current location at 918 First Street to a new location.

Danny Ford, owner of the dealership, said, "We've been here since 1989 when we bought the business from Blackwell-Baldwin. Fifteen years in the same place is a long time.

"And we've been at our location in Rector, Ark., for 50 years. By the end of 2005, our business in Kennett will move to our new location."

Equipment belonging to Greg Harris of Kennett and Alan Jones of Senath began preparing the dealership's new location for construction several weeks ago. Work is being done adjacent to Independence Avenue north of downtown. Dirt movers began laying the groundwork for construction that is expected to begin within the next month.

Ford said the new facility will be a 20,000-square-foot building that will house a new showroom, a new parts room and a new service area. The showroom will accommodate five vehicles, and the total area the new dealership will cover will be about eight acres, according to Ford.

Ford said the building will be elevated three or four feet so people driving down Independence on their way out of Kennett can see the cars in the showroom.

Ford also said the new construction will be part of General Motors' new image program. The idea behind the program is to provide a consistent and identifiable image for GM dealers.

The dealership will provide new models including Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, Cadillac, and GMC. Used and preowned vehicles will also be available.