During the last few months of the current economic crisis, many car dealerships have had to close their doors. One dealership that has overcome this and several other tough financial markets is also the oldest family-owned vehicle retailer in the country, 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 at his log cabin in Noblesville, Indiana. Its main market was the steady stream of Americans heading to western California in search of gold. All of their vehicles came with a one-year warranty on their axles, wheels, and springs.
Hare’s business was booming. In no 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. Eventually, the business produced around 700 buggies a year.
Around the turn of the century, however, EM realized that the “horseless carriage” could have a future. Against the advice of his employees, Hare signed contracts with Hupmobile, Studebaker and Cadillac to sell some of these motorized buggies. In 1912, these cars made up the majority of his business.
Finally, six generations of Hares would manage 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 performance. When manufacturers ceased all car production during World War II, Hare had no cars to sell for three and a half years. Lubrication work and adjustments 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. Additionally, the showroom also houses two Hare buggies built in the 1870s.
Current managers, Courtney Cole and Monica Peck, who are Wesley Hare’s great-great-granddaughters, need to keep up with current marketing trends. Currently, Hare offers 50 service booths, a photo booth for online advertisements, and around 1,000 new Chevrolets in its sales lot. They sell about 300 cars a month and employ 150 people.
Regardless of what the future holds, your place in history is assured. They top a list compiled by National Automobile Dealers of American dealerships 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, Michigan
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, Washington
