Biggest Toyota store pumps auto park
“This is the largest Toyota facility in the state, and we’ve made a big investment in Waukegan,” said a beaming Julius Marks, the family patriarch who for years owned and operated the Lincoln-Mercury dealership in Libertyville. Marks, who is chairman of the board of Condell Medical Center, has handed over the day-to-day operations of the three franchises to his two sons and a daughter. “The kids work very hard. They have been very successful in running the dealerships.
They will succeed in the new facility,” the proud father said. Mayor Richard Hyde couldn’t be happier because the Marks, by expanding the car dealership, have shown their confidence in the new Waukegan. “It’s so big, so good,” marveled the mayor as he surveyed the building. “I want the people of Waukegan to be proud of this,” he added, acknowledging that he loves cars. He drives a 2007 Lincoln Town Car. Fred Abdula, chairman of Northern Financial Corp., parent of NorStates Bank, was impressed.
“It is absolutely beautiful. It’s nice to see something new,” he said. The new facility, called Image II by Toyota for its new look, includes a 20,000-square-foot showroom for 14 new cars, a service department with 30 bays, a spacious customer lounge with a fireplace and a huge television set, a carpeted room for children with toys, and a spacious sheltered receiving area where customers can drive their cars in for service. The coffee is free, and so is the Wi-Fi hookup.
There is also a fast lane for quick oil changes. “We can lube your cars in 30 minutes,” said Fred Marks, who noted that the new facility is six times larger than the old building. Cars brought in for service will be washed as part of the service, he added. He and his sister, Sheila Bondoc, both vice presidents of Classic Auto Group, the family business, run the 19-acre auto park, which includes the 50,000-square-foot Chevrolet franchise and the used-car store. It carries 750 new and used cars.