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Marion Ford dealership closes

By Mike Conley | The McDowell News

Published: October 27, 2009

After more than 40 years of selling cars and trucks to countless customers, Marion's Ford dealership is closing its doors.
Legendary Ford-Mercury, located at U.S. 70 West and U.S. 221 North, announced Tuesday that it would go out of business as of that day. Tuesday afternoon, sales consultants were busy clearing off their desks as the dealership made plans to shut its doors for good.
Tommy Calhoun, dealer principal with Legendary Ford-Mercury, told The McDowell News that his business is closing "mostly because of the economy."
"We've been trying to find financing for the mortgage on the dealership through a bank and we're unsuccessful," said Calhoun.
Ford Credit held the mortgage for the dealership but wanted it to be refinanced through a bank. Calhoun said he tried one bank after another but was unable to get new financing for his dealership. When his efforts were unsuccessful, Ford officials told him to close on Tuesday. He added there is no possibility his business will reopen.
Legendary Ford-Mercury has 22 full-time employees. The dealership, which was previously Darrell Ford-Mercury, has been at that location since 1968.
Calhoun said he would like to thank all of the loyal customers for their business over the years.
Those customers who have left their cars and trucks at the dealership for repairs should not worry. Calhoun said the repair work on the vehicles now at the dealership would be completed and returned to their owners as normal. The service technicians will finish the repair work they have now.
The building and land will likely be put on the market. There is a possibility that another dealership or a used car business could buy it and take it over.
Calhoun said he's worked at Legendary Ford-Mercury since 1997 and has been the dealer principal since March 2000.
"It's a sad day for us," he said. "We've tried to be customer-oriented. I was raised in the car business to take care of your customer. I've tried to do that."