Pre-owned automotive retailer Yalcars announced in a press release that it had purchased the former dealership with the intention of renovating it into a “new auto park” which will “consolidate Yalcars three existing lots into one expansive location” and double its monthly capacity.

“We are thrilled to take this next step in Yalcars’ journey; the auto park represents more than a dealership–it’s your complete automotive destination. Building on the legacy of over a 50-year-old dealership location in Salem, we’re honored to continue serving the region with excellence, innovation, and community connection,” said Yalcars President and Chief Executive Officer Yigit Yalcin.

According to Yalcin, Yalcars felt the property’s “size, visibility, and accessibility made it an ideal fit for [its] long-term vision,” and that its history presented “an opportunity to revitalize a legacy location and transform it into something modern, community-oriented, and experience-driven.” Also, in addition to the availability of a former dealership property Salem was chosen for the new location because “the community has a strong automotive market, a growing customer base, and a business-friendly environment.”

Yalcin said that the new Salem location “has been in active planning for well over a year” and that the purchase agreement for the property was completed in July, with the transaction taking effect on Dec. 19. Yalcin said that they could not disclose the price Yalcars paid for the property due to a confidentiality clause. However, they said that once renovations are completed Yalcars’ “total investment into the site, improvements, and launch of the new Yalcars Auto Park will be in the range of $8 million.”

They also said that investment included a commitment to recruiting “local talent” for the auto park.

“We are encouraging the recruitment of managers, automotive professionals, technicians, sales consultants, and finance specialists from Salem and the surrounding communities. We believe in the region’s potential, and hiring locally is one of the most meaningful ways we can give back and contribute to the area’s continued growth,” said Yalcin.

Those renovations are already underway, with both interior and exterior updates planned “to align it with the Yalcars brand and to create a welcoming, customer-focused environment.” Yalcin said that work would continue at the property in phases “with more visible activity beginning this winter.” According to the release the new location “will feature a full suite of amenities designed to serve both customers and staff” including: an automotive-inspired cafe with themed menu; a service shop; an employee gym; a car wash, and an electric vehicle-charging station.

Yalcin said that “based on current progress and vendor timelines” Yalcars expects to officially open its doors to the community with a grand opening “sometime in the early spring.” According to the release the grand opening will feature “a themed celebration: ‘Fall in Love with Yalcars'” and “will showcase the new amenities, honor the dedicated team behind the expansion, and invite the community to experience the future of automotive retail.”