Auto sales veterans open lot of their own

From their new digs across from Mills Park, Brett Kimball and Chuck Maraden are hoping Park Auto Sales catches on with customers.

Their new lot on Highway 50 started taking shape a few weeks ago, and they worked on turning the former real estate office into an auto sales business.

"We just wanted to put a fresh spin on it, and spruce this place up a little bit," Kimball said. "We tried to make it look as nice as possible. The city has been very cooperative, and they didn't try to make us jump through too many hoops."

They currently have about 30 vehicles on the lot, but hope to expand to about 50. They are shooting to keep their vehicles in the range of $8,000 to $12,000, and do not want to offer anything over $15,000.

Kimball and Maraden both worked locally in auto financing for many years before deciding to go out on their own.

Kimball says the time is right for start-ups.

"I think we are coming in at the bottom of (the economic downturn), and I think this is one of the best times to be doing it," Kimball said.

Finding financing for customers has been a major problem, according to Kimball, but is seems to be getting better.

"Chuck and I have 30 years of experience with financing," Kimball said. "Financing is where we broke into the business. We have a lot of sources we can use. We see a turn starting to happen there, it's going to be a slow process. Thank God we know a lot about financing or this would have been an extremely difficult venture."

The location across from the park seems to be working, according to Kimball.

"It's amazing the amount of traffic we get," he said. "We're talking to six to eight people a day, which is sometimes more than the new car stores are doing."

All in all, Kimball and Maraden are hoping to have a bright future with their venture.

"We look forward to being here a long time," Kimball said.

IF YOU GO

Park Auto Sales

1208 E. William St.

Across from Mills Park

885-0800

Owners: Brett Kimball and Chuck Maraden