Cliff Buchan
News Editor

A major change is on the horizon for the automobile dealership industry in Forest Lake.

Paul Novak, owner and general manager of Novak GM Center, 131 SW 19th St., said this week the dealership is being sold to Whitaker Buick Jeep of St. Paul with the deal expected to close on or about March 1.

Steve Whitaker, owner and general manager of the St. Paul, business, said the dealership will move to Forest Lake, leaving its St. Paul home of the past 52 years.

ìWeíve been very fortunate to have been part of this community all these years,î Novak said. ìWe hope the community embraces the Whitaker family as they have us.î

The two dealerships are both second generation managed businesses. Bill Whitaker founded Whitaker Buick 52 years ago and Bill Novak came to Forest Lake in 1974. Paul Novak joined his father on May 1, 1977.

Novak said he has no definite plans once he leaves the business on or about March 1.

He was part of a business transition that moved Novakís from a former location on US-61 north to the new Everton Park commercial park in 1988. Novak was the first business to open in the new park.

Steve Whitaker said this week the dealership was looking for a new home base that would place it near other car dealerships. While the St. Paul Midway location on University Avenue was once a hot spot for car lots, the number continues to dwindle today, he said.

ìThat precipitated part of the move,î Whitaker said. He said the purchase has been in the discussion stage for the past six months.

Under the deal, Whitaker will buy the Novak property, building and inventory in Forest Lake. No purchase price was disclosed.

Whitaker said the 45 employees at the St. Paul location were told of the move last Friday. The dealership is now taking employment applications from any of the 45 St. Paul workers and 35 employees of Novakís who want to remain with the business.

The mechanics at the St. Paul business worked under a union contract. The Forest Lake shop is a non-union staff.

A grand opening will take place at a later date for the new Whitaker Buick, Pontiac, GMC in Forest Lake. The doors to the St. Paul dealership will close on Feb. 25, Whitaker said.

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Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
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