A successful era will come to an end Monday when Etter Ford closes its doors for the last time.
Jeff and Sandy Etter are retiring and have sold the new and used car sales dealership that has served Montgomery County for 120 years.
With the help of Ford Motor Inc., the Etter family has agreed to sell the dealership to Mike O’Daniel. O’Daniel owns and operates D-Patrick Ford out of Evansville, which is nearing its’ 100-year anniversary. The family also has a Ford satellite dealership in Lebanon.
Closing the company, which has employeed five generations of the Etter family, was not an easy decision to make Jeff Etter said. He wanted to make sure his employees were taken care of first and foremost.
“When we decided to retire, what we worried about most was our employees,” Jeff Etter said. “We have always had great employees and they are the reason we have what we have. This dealership is not about me, but rather all the people who have worked for us in the past and well as those we employ now.”
D-Patrick Ford offered all current Etter employees the opportunity to retain their job positions. The new owners also will allow the employees to retain their years of longevity. Benefits will be similar to what the employees have now.
“It seems to have worked out well for our employees,” Jeff Etter said. “I believe they are all staying and seem excited about the change.”
The new owners will open Tuesday under the new name of D-Patrick Crawfordsville.
The service department will be operational and customers can purchase new and used vehicles as before.
“Our customers, who have been a big part of our success, can bring their vehicles in for service like they always have,” Jeff Etter said. “The only difference will be a different name on the bill.”
In January 1920, L.B. Etter, Jeff’s grandfather, purchased the business which was in New Market at the time. Jeff’s father, John Etter, retired and turned the business over the Jeff and Sandy Etter.
The company continued to operate in their small quarters in New Market until 1990 when John and Sandy purchased the business. In 1994, the dealership moved to the present Crawfordsville facility at 1401 Lafayette Ave.
