Indiana car dealership listed as oldest in US
During the last few months of the current economic crisis, many car dealerships have had to close their doors. One dealership that has weathered this and several other tough financial markets is also the country’s longest-running family-owned vehicle retailer, W. Hare & Son. From the era of Conestoga wagons to the present and hybrid cars, this Indiana-based dealership has survived more than a century and a half of ups and downs of continuous operation.
The saga began in 1847 when Wesley Hare began building wagons, carriages, and buggies in his log cabin in Noblesville, Indiana. His primary market was the steady stream of Americans heading west to California in search of gold. All of his vehicles came with a one-year warranty on their axles, wheels, and springs.
Hare’s business was booming. In a short time, he added 45 employees and amassed a small fortune.
Shortly after the Civil War ended in 1865, Hare’s son EM took over the business and the company officially became W. Hare & Son. Operations were moved to a four-story building with an elevator, a rare commodity for the time. Ultimately, the business produced around 700 buggies a year.
However, around the turn of the century, EM realized that the “horseless carriage” might have a future. Against the advice of his employees, Hare signed contracts with Hupmobile, Studebaker and Cadillac to sell some of these motorized buggies. By 1912, these automobiles comprised the bulk of his business.
Eventually six generations of hares would run the dealership. Each manager had their own unique business challenges. For example, during the Great Depression, the dealership had to rely on its towing service to increase the bottom line. When manufacturers ceased all car production during World War II, Hare had no cars to sell for three and a half years. Lubrication and tune-up work filled the void.
Today, visitors to the Hare showroom can see a bit of the company’s history. The walls display a 90 foot long mural depicting the journey. In addition, the showroom also houses two Hare buggies built in the 1870s.
The current managers, Courtney Cole and Monica Peck, who are the great-great-granddaughters of Wesley Hare, have to keep up with current marketing trends. Today, Hare offers 50 service booths, an online advertising photo booth, and about 1,000 new Chevrolets on his sales lot. They sell around 300 cars per month and employ 150 people.
Regardless of what the future holds for them, their place in history is assured. They top a list compiled by the National Auto Dealers of American dealers that have been in continuous business for 100 years or more. The top ten on the list include:
1847, W. Hare & Son, Inc., Noblesville, Indiana
1852, Schaefer & Bierlein, Inc., Frankenmuth, Mich.
1859, Reynolds’ Garage & Marine, Inc., Lyme, Connecticut
1875, Kemmann Chevrolet, Inc., Lowden, Iowa
1875 Normandin Chrysler/Jeep, San Jose, California
1885, Moser Motor Sales, Inc., Bern, Indiana
1895, Ferman Motor Car Co., Inc., Tampa, Florida
1897, Hill International Trucks, LLC, East Liverpool, Ohio
1898, Eich Motor Co., St. Cloud, Minnesota
1900, Diehl Ford, Inc., Bellingham, Wash.