The Observation Deck

A little nostalgia

At the office today we where recalling all the new car dealership that once called Lakewood home we came up with 13, from west to east:
Lossman VW, Webb & Det.
Mark Lance Ford, Spring Garden & Det.
LaRiche Mercury, _ Datsun, _ Rambler, Woodward & Det.
_ MG and other odd foreign brands, Orchard Grove & Madison
Steve Barry, Buick, Brockley & Det.
Podway, Dodge, Lincoln & Det.
Spitzer, Chrysler, Parkwood & Det.
Ganley, Oldsmobile, Grace & Det.
Fairchild Chevy, Beach & Det.
Kepke, Mercedes, Newman & Det.
Jacksaw, Pontiac, Hird & Det.
LaRiche, Ford, W117th south of Clifton
Delorean Cadillac, W117th north of Madison

Many of these left for greener pastures, literally. Regionalism (sprawl) has been alive and well for a longtime.

Now there is one left

Bill

Lossman VW, Webb & Det. (started on Wayne and Detroit later sold Gruman Trucks)
Both Lossman Motors and MG Motors existed because Bill Lossman raced MGs, and
and Formula Vees (based on VW engines) It was an era where if you could get ten
friends to buy a car you would became a dealership.

Mark Lance Ford, Spring Garden & Det. (first home to Bill Randall's antique mall)

LaRiche Mercury, _ Datsun, _ Rambler, Woodward & Det. (Lakewood Datsun now Great Northern Nissan)

MG Motors and other odd foreign brands, Orchard Grove & Madison (Owned by Bill Lossman of Lossman Motors, Triumph, MG, Fiat, Volvo, Borgward, Sunbeam, registered Rolls Royce service, passed on being the Westside Subaru dealership because the brand had no future)

Koepke, Mercedes, Newman & Det.(Also sold Peugeot)

Also Ray Kroneburger had a small place next to the Bike shop and was later move just
over the bridge to Rocky River, sold Isettas, and Saabs. Became Swedish Cars of Cleveland in Bedford which closed in 1980 or so.

To fill in a couple spaces

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Some personal reflections---

In 1970 I bought a 1963 Triumph TR4 from the dealership right across the border at W.110 and Detroit. Man was it cool. Whatta piece of sh**. It had one Michelin radial on the front. Because of the tire disparity, it shook the letters off the hood over 55mph.
It needed a valve regrind. Had it done at MG Motors for $145. Big bucks then.
The brakes went out on me down in Strongsville. Thank goodness for quick down-shifting, green lights, and a route back through the Valley to home in Lakewood.
You're thinking maybe I should a called a tow truck? Not the Lakewood way. Get it home.

I remember going to Podway Dodge with my Dad to get license plates. Waiting in line, I opened the door to a showroom Dodge (the middle level nameplate in the Chrysler line up) shut it and heard all kinds of junk rattling.

I bought a Vega from Fairchild.

Too many stories on that one for this post!!!!!!

Stan

Valerie Molinski wrote:Despite where I bought it and what brand of car I drive (which is ridiculous, btw), I just want to know how many posting in this thread are west side or east side lakewoodites. I am an east side lakewoodite, and I must say with Ganley Subie closing and soon? Spitzer, I am getting really tired and annoyed with my half of Detroit Ave starting to look like some bombed out demilitarized zone, with the giant empty parking lots, metal fencing, and shuttered storefronts.

Valerie

I understand that you have issues with the messenger. But read your post. Shuttered business, closing signs,the east side described as a "bombed out demilitarized zone" while
those preaching save our dealerships years ago, and buy Lakewood now, drive volvos from
Motorcars Cleveland, BMWs from Cleveland BMW and shop for wine at Minottis in River. So you and I should buy local, but the gifted can ignore their preaching and shop anywhere?

When Jimmy Swaggart preached do not sin, it was a hollow, nearly hilarious message.

All I was pointing out was the irony of the message from those that do not do what they preach. But I guess they get the free pass, while I am chastised for noticing the irony.

Talk is cheap, too cheap in this town.


Stan

Was reminded of the Renault/Amphicar dealer where Almira Tires is.

Kroneburger's first dealership was on Clifton Place and Detroit, where the bead shop is.

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Well, darn it, Jim. When I saw you at Roots Cafe this morning, I had not read your response. We could have had a good discussion.

My point is, dont pick on the imports. If an american car maker was making something I wanted 5 years ago when I bought my last car, I would have totally bought it. If there was a dealer in Lakewood selling that brand and I lived here then, I would have bought it here. But I am supposed to patronize businesses with inferior products or service simply because of their proximity to my house? No way. I had heard some not so great things about Ganley Subaru's service dept to make me stay away from that place, even if I could have walked there to pick up my car (I dont drive a subie but I would consider it). Same with Spitzer- and Jeeps and Chrysler's reliability has been in the toilet in recent years. I've heard nothing but GREAT things about Barry buick, but my age and family size have so far precluded me from wanting a Buick (I am sure that might change in the coming years).

That said, I do agree with you on a lot of things about shopping locally... if we do not patronize those places, they will go away and leave an empty storefront and parking lot behind. And much of the redevelopment is now happening in central and western Lakewood, and not even touching my area, so it makes me sad.