WAXAHACHIE - General Motors announced last week that 661 of the more than 2,000 dealerships slated to close will be saved after all. The company said letters announcing which dealerships will remain open are in the mail.
Carlisle Chevrolet and Cadillac in Waxahachie, which dates back to the 1920s and is the oldest Chevy dealership in Texas, was among those on the chopping block. Now, Frank Blankenbeckler, the owner, said he is confident that his shop will stay open. He took his fight to Congress and was told personally his group is safe. However, that confirmation in writing has yet to arrive; now it's just a waiting game.
"It's more than a balance sheet and income statements," Blankenbeckler said. "The people that work here are literally family to me."
His grandfather started the dealership and passed it through the family.
"I guess we've been here ... around 84 years, and we look forward to another 84," Blankenbeckler said.
For the city of Waxahachie, keeping Carlisle Chevrolet around is vital to growth.
"They employ a lot of people, and of course there is the tax base as well" said Paul Stevens, the city manager. "So, we're ecstatic that they're going to be here."
The city said the dealership does more than sell cars. The residual revenue from tuneups, replacements,or body shop work bring in a large tax base for the city.
Blankenbeckler fought to keep all of that open as he took his fight to Congress.
"This is a historic dealership going back so far," Stevens said. "They are not just a business here, they really give back to the community."
Some employees have been at Carlisle Chevrolet for over 50 years.
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