After 91 years, family-owned Whitley County dealership changes hands
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
After 91 years in business, the Thomson family has sold their Thomsons Whitley County Motor Sales dealership on US 30.
On Wednesday, owner Tim Thomson retired and the ownership of the company transferred to Glenbrook Automotive of Fort Wayne. The dealership will now be known as City Chevrolet. Legally, it is Whitley County Chevrolet, LLC.
According to sources, Glenbrook Automotive of Fort Wayne is owned by Doug McKibben and partner Jim Scarbeary. Scarbeary, of Syracuse, will manage the dealership.
The new owners hope to keep the same staff and continue the same level of professionalism.
The dealership officially began in 1919 with William "Charley" Thomson's lot on Van Buren Street, but he began selling automobiles in 1917. The dealership moved through several generations of the Thomson family, moving to the current location on the far east edge of Columbia City in 1968.
After 91 years in business, the Thomson family has sold their Thomsons Whitley County Motor Sales dealership on US 30.
On Wednesday, owner Tim Thomson retired and the ownership of the company transferred to Glenbrook Automotive of Fort Wayne. The dealership will now be known as City Chevrolet. Legally, it is Whitley County Chevrolet, LLC.
According to sources, Glenbrook Automotive of Fort Wayne is owned by Doug McKibben and partner Jim Scarbeary. Scarbeary, of Syracuse, will manage the dealership.
The new owners hope to keep the same staff and continue the same level of professionalism.
The dealership officially began in 1919 with William "Charley" Thomson's lot on Van Buren Street, but he began selling automobiles in 1917. The dealership moved through several generations of the Thomson family, moving to the current location on the far east edge of Columbia City in 1968.