Burritt Motors begins a $2.2 million expansion and renovation of their entire dealership in late April, it was announced by Chris and Rich Burritt, co-owners. The expansion will increase the number of employees from 37 to approximately 50 over the next three years, which will enable them to handle up to 250 sales per month. “We’re also grateful to Operation Oswego County and the Oswego County Industrial Development Agency for helping this project become a reality,” Chris Burritt said. “PathFinder Bank is our financing partner on this project.
“We’re growing our footprint to support the growth we’ve had in sales and service. The project will take approximately six months to complete and give us 30% more space for a total of 28,000 sq. ft. This will include a new and expanded show room, new customer lounge, new service area with seven more service bays and vehicle photo gallery to take a virtual test drive on our web site, and new administrative offices—all in air-conditioned comfort. In the past, dealerships have traditionally focused solely on sales growth. This investment represents that growth, but it also gives better support to our customers for the life of their vehicle. Our number one priority is to always provide a better buying experience whether purchasing a vehicle or maintaining it, and our Mechanix Garage motto is: ‘Long live your car!’
“Our customers will no longer have to park their vehicles outside for service appointments. With our new design, they’ll be able to drive right into the dealership and hand the keys over on their way to the new customer lounge. The lounge is designed to make our customers as comfortable as possible. Among the features will be a fireplace, air-conditioning, computer workstations and Wi-Fi, a new coffee bar, couches, flat screen televisions, and a monitor showing the status of your vehicle’s service. We’re also adding a five-bay vehicle-detailing center with a menu of services for our customers to keep their cars and trucks looking like new.
“Another measure to conserve energy and lower our operating costs is the addition of 200 solar panels on the dealership roof. They will provide an average of 25% of our power needs annually. On a sunny day, however, solar power will cover nearly 100% of our energy needs.”
Rich Burritt explained that dealership sales have grown since 2007 from approximately 50 vehicles sales per month to well over 100. “With this expansion, we’ll be able to accommodate up to 250 sales a month,” he said. “This growth is attributed to our auction-direct and below-market pricing that has resulted in sales for us throughout the Northeastern U.S. It’s been our experience that people will drive a fair distance for a great deal and good service.”
During construction, sales and administration will be in temporary quarters on Rt. 104 E. in front of the dealership. “There will plenty of parking, easy access to our inventory, and there will be no disruption in serving our customers and servicing their vehicles,” said Chris Burritt. “In fact, we’ve already expanded our rear parking lot to accommodate up to 300 vehicles at a time. Vehicle service will continue to be performed at our dealership during construction.”
Burritt Motors’ history dates back to 1955 in Hannibal when Chris’ grandfather, Elmer O. Burritt, purchased a Chevrolet franchise that he operated until 1963.
To expand in a larger market, Chris’ father, Richard, purchased the assets of a Chevrolet dealership that had been located on Oswego’s East Third Street. About a year later, he built the present dealership on Rt. 104. The dealership celebrates its 57th anniversary this year and can be reached at (315) 343-8948, www.burrittmotors.com or www.themechanixgarage.com.
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