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New Garden Auto Mall offers newer used vehicles, tires

The New Garden Auto Mall opened earlier this month at 7231 state Route 9 at the state Routes 9 and 172 intersection. The used vehicle dealership is co-owned by Don Hofmeister, pictured, along with his daughter, Brittany, and son, Donnie. Hofmeister said, “You want it, we’ll find it. Call or text today.” The New Garden Auto Mall can put buyers in direct touch with truck and auto auction sites and also sells new brand name tires. (Salem News photo by Larry Shields)

NEW GARDEN — Figuring to keep anywhere from 15 to 20 vehicles on the dealership premises, Don Hofmeister said his inventory is aimed at the $10,000 to $12,000 price range.

Hofmeister, with his children, Brittany and Donnie as co-owners, opened the New Garden Auto Mall at 7231 state Route 9 on Nov. 1.

“I grew up in Hanoverton on a dairy farm,” Hofmeister, a 1983 United Local High School graduate, said.

“I’ve always loved the community.”

He has 24 years in the automotive sales business.

“I’ve been doing this for so long, I’m trying to take direct sales to people. We can go right to the auction and show it,” he explained, turning his large computer monitor for viewing.

“It cuts my expenses.”

He’s got the perfect location at state Routes 9 and 172 where an Ashland service station once occupied the corner, a four-way stop.

Hofmeister retains the big, old Ashland sign that stood idle and rusting along with the gas price signs after the station closed many years ago.

He’s already had customers who drive the well-traveled state Route 172 from as far away as Pittsburgh stop in to check out a vehicle that caught their eye.

He pointed out how technology has assisted the used vehicle market.

“I would buy a 2012 with 115,000 miles on it before buying a 2005 or 2006 with 60,000 or 70,000 miles,” he said, “because of the technology.”

He will step outside of his targeted $10,000-$12,000 price range noting, for example, a vehicle like a 2015 Chevy Equinox could go for between $13,000 and $14,000.

“Technology,” he said.

There are cars and trucks on the lot.

With his alma mater just up the road, Hofmeister noted there are many students reaching driving age and he keeps that in mind.

“Actually, I was always into trucks, but it’s been a little of everything. I can keep them under $200 a month,” he said about the monthly payment.

“We have six or seven banks, it all comes down to who can give you the best interest rate.”

When you walk into the New Garden Auto Mall, while the memory is there, instead of seeing an old-time gas station where a scratchy, glass-topped counter with greasy counter mats and a pay phone hanging in the corner may be expected, Hofmeister’s office is heavily decorated with Ohio State University photos.

There is another sign in front of the New Garden Auto Mall building that tells customers that tires are sold here.

“We’re also going to deal in new tires and plan to open a tire shop and service in the spring. All new brands,” he said.

“I started selling tires when I saw the mark up,” he explained, “and if I can make $10 per tire that’s where I want to be and sell brand new tires.”

It’s a family business with his daughter, Brittany, and his son, Donnie, as co-owners. Brittany is in the health field and Donnie is an air traffic controller.

“We all did this together,” Hofmeister smiled, “if I’m going to do this at 53, they’re going to help out.”

The New Garden Auto Mall is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

For information, call or text 330-341-9651 (a number which Hofmeister says he is available at anytime) or visit new-garden-auto-mall.business.site, or email:dhmotorcars@gmail.com.

lshields@salemnews.net

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