There is a giant slogan emblazoned across the wall of the hospital in Newmarket, Ont. “Tradition is cherished, change is welcomed.”
Apart from being a good philosophy, it also nicely sums up the way that J. Clark and Son Ltd. seem to have managed to sustain their dealership’s operations for 100 years, as the leadership changed hands from one generation to the next.
I visited the Clark family at their Fredericton, N.B. dealership for this issue’s cover story celebrating their 100th anniversary as Canada’s oldest Chevrolet dealership.
In conversations with the family, and in touring their dealership, it’s clear they are proud of their heritage, and they work hard to pass along traditions and wisdom learned through the years.
A giant wall mural that greets visitors at the dealership has pictures of each of the John T. Clarks that have taken their turn at the helm of the dealership. It also features pictures of the dealership itself as it has evolved over the decades.
Their showroom even features a pristine 1915 Chevrolet to help commemorate the year that the family first started selling Chevrolets.
In in-depth interviews with Canadian auto dealer, the family members recounted tales of how they and their predecessors struggled and triumphed over the years.
Facing so many hurdles, some well-known and others more private, it’s a wonder that somewhere along the way someone didn’t throw in the towel.
But the Clarks don’t quit easily.
Apart from their dogged perseverance, they also have shown a willingness and ability to adapt and evolve with the times.
There are many lessons in the Clark story for other dealers.
Even through the toughest economic times, the Clarks always managed to keep the support of their community.
To show their appreciation, the family also constantly gave back to their community, with charitable donations, and by setting up a foundation to fund philanthropic efforts.
They also truly love the car business, and when they discuss their customers — and their staff — it’s clear they have the utmost respect and fondness for them.
As dealers reinvent themselves in the 24/7 online world, with social media chatter constantly chirping at them, and with the retail experience itself undergoing dramatic change, it’s worth remembering that sometimes the old becomes new again.
Being fair, honest, transparent, trusted and reliable might seem simple enough, but to sustain it for 100 years requires that it becomes a tradition rooted deeply in your DNA.
For the Clarks, it’s a tradition well worth preserving for generations to come.
