Garrettsville – Jerry Kehoe Used Cars has stood in the heart of Garrettsville at the intersection of Main Street, North Street, Center Street, Windham Street and South Street for the past 34 years. But the car dealership’s namesake quietly prepared for retirement by selling the business to Eric Hedge last February. Now Hedge and his wife, Meredith, want the community to know that their new ownership is resulting in a new way of doing business, as well.
“We’re trying to change the stereotype of the average used car dealership,” the Hedges explain. “We’re not buying junk. We purchase new car trade-ins; not junkers from auctions.”
While maintaining the positive business fundamentals that kept Kehoe’s customers happy since 1979, the Hedges are building upon that tradition with new customer benefits, including buy here-finance here options, a smaller inventory of high quality used cars, modern diagnostics for servicing domestic and imported vehicles, financing for major repairs, online scheduling services, and flexibility that only comes from building face-to-face relationships with customers they come to know on a first-name basis.
“Every car gets serviced before sale,” the Hedges explain.” And our service comes with a national warranty.”
Prior to purchasing Kehoe’s, Eric worked at the dealership for 10 years, working up from gopher to “right-hand-man,” overseeing service and management for the past six years. Meredith — previously manager at Domino’s Pizza — now oversees day-to-day operations at Kehoe’s, including title work, paperwork and balancing the books.
The work crew at Kehoe’s includes top salesperson Miranda Smith; service advisor Fred Pratt III; chief mechanic Ricky Elliott Jr.; and Pat Hykes in maintenance.
The Hedges conduct business at Kehoe’s with the local community in mind. As Chamber of Commerce members, they sponsor youth softball teams; support local efforts to raise funds for the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life and other charities; and promote other local businesses, purchasing American-made automotive parts from G’ville Auto and Advance Auto, and visiting a different local restaurant every Friday for lunch for the entire Kehoe’s crew.
Calling Kehoe’s a “one-stop motor vehicles shop for sales and service,” the Hedges accept trade-ins of all kinds. Not limiting themselves to used cars, they accept gold jewelry, lawn and garden equipment, snow blowers and plows, televisions and other electronics as barter collateral toward the purchase of a used car. “We’re here for the little guy who may not have access to traditional financing options,” they say. ”We know you need a car to get to your job, get your kids where they need to go, and to run errands. We’ll do our best to help you get that car.”
There are approximately 30 used vehicles on the lot at any given time, and maintenance/repair services are available to all for any make or model. Located at 10755 South Street, Jerry Kehoe Used Cars is open for business 9am-5pm Mondays through Thursdays; 9am-6pm on Fridays; and 9am-noon on Saturdays. Call (330) 527-5222 to schedule an appointment or visit the website at www.jkuc.net for scheduling and more information.
The new Kehoe’s will be represented at northern Portage County’s 11th Bi-Annual Business Showcase coming up 5-8pm October 17 at James A. Garfield High School. Also, keep your eyes open for the dealership’s open house celebration anticipated in November.
