PLATTSBURGH -- A new dealership beckons a bright future for Bill McBride Subaru.
Co-owners Bill McBride Sr., Bill McBride Jr. and Brian McBride are understandably proud of the new dealership, which was built in just more than seven months.
"I think it's the most modern facility in upstate New York," Bill Sr. said.
Brian said Subaru Distributors Corp. is their regional distributor, and is also excited about the new facility. The partners anticipate an increase in sales, and the distributor is bringing a large increase in inventory.
"By opening day, we should have more than 100 Subarus on the lot," Brian said.
While the design was provided by Subaru of America, the McBrides and their partners were able to incorporate a lot of their own ideas.
The showroom is dazzlingly bright, with walls of glass on three sides that flood the area with sunlight. The showroom also features gray tile floors and an electric fireplace.
The Sales Department is already open. Bill Jr. said Sales Associate Liz Everett made the first Subaru sale from the new showroom the last week of July.
One of two customer lounges faces the fireplace, with large black easy chairs arranged in a semicircle in front of a flat-screen television.
Brian said all of the televisions are connected to their computer network. McBride's even has a subscription to MLB.TV, and plans to show afternoon games in the showroom.
A second lounge features another flat screen, Brazilian tigerwood floors, armchairs and tables. It has a wet bar with granite countertops, where customers will be able to enjoy free coffee beverages.
There are a few computer work stations for customers, and an Apple iPad will be available.
Don Lee, who served as master of the works for the McBrides, said the building was designed to be fully Americans with Disabilities Act compliant. That includes low counters in the lounges and departments, and even braille signs on the doors.
The conference room features another flat screen and other data equipment and a large dry-erase board. It also has a full kitchen, with refrigerator, range, microwave, hardwood cabinets and dishwasher.
The Parts Department features service windows to the showroom and Service Department. It is also where firewalls and fire curtains are in place to separate the two halves of the building in case of fire.
A mezzanine offers plenty of storage space.
The drive-in service area will open by mid-August. Customers will be able to pull their car indoors, where they will be met by a service representative who will have a computer to check them in.
Radiant heat extends throughout the Service Department. It will help melt ice and snow on vehicles in winter, which will then be rinsed off before they enter the work area.
One new piece for McBride Subaru is a state-of-the-art Hunter alignment rack. Lee said a technician will be able to tell the customer within three to five minutes if the vehicle needs alignment.
The alignment can be done in about 30 minutes. The ability to do alignments in house will save customers time and money, Brian said.
There are five service bays, with Challenger hydraulic lifts. All of the drains connect to an oil/water separator.
The service-area floor features an epoxy coating, typically used in aircraft hangars. Lee said almost nothing will stick to it, which will help when clean-ups are needed.
The entire building, Lee said, was designed to be green, with energy-efficient lights and even a waste-oil furnace for heat.
The service area is also very bright, with a large bank of windows along the ceiling line. Lee said that was one of the ideas from Al Sweenor, who did the preliminary engineering and subdivision work.
Bill Jr. said the service area is so bright they don't really need to use the lights on sunny days, although they will.
"The brighter it is, the happier the work environment," he said.
The McBrides felt it was very important to use local contractors and sub-contractors. They were all from Clinton County except Alpha Concrete, which is located in Vermont.
They sought bids to be lead contractor from Conroy and Conroy, Luck Brothers and Murnane Building Contractors, with Conroy and Conroy awarded the contract, Lee said.
Suppliers included Jeffords Steel and Engineering, Graymont Materials and Sample Lumber. William J. Murray, Robert Sutherland, Lee Kitchen and Appliance, Raiville Painting, Merit Contracting, J. Hogan Refrigeration, Adams Glass, Lake Champlain Roofing, North Country Garage Doors and Gary Cassavaugh also worked on the project.
Brian said they worked with local banks for financing.
"We found our best fit was Champlain National Bank. Peter Paine and Jon Cooper were awesome to work with," he said.
The McBrides recently bought the house just south of their Chevrolet Dealership. Bill Sr. said it will be demolished to give them some more display room along U.S. Avenue.
There will be a gala ribbon cutting and private reception to officially open the dealership. It is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 18.
City of Plattsburgh Mayor Donald Kasprzak congratulated the family on its new dealership.
"The new building is first class, just like the McBride family. I expected nothing but the best from them," he said. "The commitment the family has made to the City of Plattsburgh is something they should be very proud of, as I am."
The McBrides have been very supportive of the City of Plattsburgh for many years. The Chevrolet franchise dates back to 1970, and Subaru to 1975.
"As mayor, I can't be any prouder to see them remain in the city, and to continue to be a very important part of it."
The McBrides built the new building out of necessity, a side effect of the General Motors bankruptcy. Brian said GM couldn't previously force them to separate the two dealerships under New York franchise laws.
That changed when GM told a bankruptcy court it needed to separate to strengthen its Chevrolet brand as it emerged from bankruptcy, and the court agreed.
GM originally gave them a Dec. 31 deadline, but was flexible as long as progress was under way. Bill Sr. said seven months later, here they are.
"I think all's well that ends well," he said. "This month we sold more Subarus than Chevys."
Bill Jr. said they have taken advantage of a chance to step back and look at the big picture.
"We want to provide a world-class service to our customers," he said. "We will continue to work to earn their loyalty.
E-mail Dan Heath at:
dheath@pressrepublican.com
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