Quote:
Originally Posted by Farmall450
Yeah, Harvard is a lucky town, they get a lot of options despite their relatively small size. I think as the urban sprawl continued the dealers closer to the city probably had to either move out further or adapt to selling primarily lawn and garden.
I heard the AHW Deere in Elburn was closed shortly after they bought it from Buck Bros...similarly, RF Houtz/Ralph Helm was in that same small town, and also went under (that location).
|
The owner of the AHW Elburn Property wanted AHW to Pay him for 20 years, Basically a retirement Plan, He wouldn't take a one-time payment for the dealership Property Like a normal real estate sale. So they just chose to move their People to Hampshire and Somonauk. It had nothing to do with the location; the previous JD dealer who owned the Property was very, very Greedy. He Basically wanted the sale Price Paid for rent each Year for 20 years.
Ralph Helm Jr, when He Bought RF Houtz, moved its Location out Into the Business district on the west side of Town. He had a driver who killed someone In an accident and was sued. Ralph Jr is Not the sole owner Of Ralph Helm anymore. He has Two Partners. He couldn't afford to Keep Elburn and Crystal Lake open because of the lawsuit, which again had nothing to do with the size of the Town either.
Buck Bros never Owned the Elburn Location. The did try to Buy it before AHW bought it. But again Elthers wanted to Much Money for it . Now it sites there as a Vacant Property . Buck also tried to Buy the Rockford dealership But he wanted them to Buy the ACE Hardware Next door to the Dealership as well
Buck Bros chose to Merge with AHW
Buck bros Locations Prior to Merger with AHW
Harvard
Hampshire
Libertyville
Wauconda
Rob Houtz sold in 2015 because he wanted to retire and with the earlier death of his son In Law Skip Nobody In the Family wanted to take over the dealership
Rob is still there In Elburn at the west end of South Street, where He runs his Cub Bone Yard. He's getting a 3208 I purchased from him ready for delivery next week for me. It had a Hydraulic Leak, and he's installing a 190-207-100 3-point hitch on the Tractor as well. That's the second used Tractor I have bought from him in the Last 3 years.
