Webster Bell  Ernest Bell

 The Bell Motor Company in Leonardtown is closing its doors after 85 years in business.

Ernest and Webster Bell opened their dealership at Cedar Point on Jan. 17, 1923. For the next 18 years the brothers built their car dealership with the mantra —   “Watch the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves.”

For 85 years, the Bell family operated Bell Motor Company with that in mind. The brothers moved the dealership to Leonardtown in 1941 after the Navy bought and built the base on the property on which the original dealership was located.

 “There is still a placard where the old dealership used to be near one of the runways,” said Gary Bell. He stated the family’s choice to close after 85 years is very unsettling. “This was not an easy decision for us. It is very emotional.”

 Bell indicated that the family decided to close after five years

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of declining auto sales. Because of the economic downturn and the uncertainty of the future, they decided that the long term prospects for the small dealership were not favorable. The dealership sells Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick and GMC vehicles.

 “There was some pressure for us to relocate a few years ago, but GM understood that for a small dealer to invest $5 million or more in a new facility, hoping that the economy would turn, wasn’t feasible.”

GM and GMAC have been very cooperative and helpful since the family made the decision to close, Bell said. “They are working closely with us to help us move the remaining inventory.”

 “All prices are negotiable and every deal will be considered,” Bell said, explaining it is important for the company to sell its remaining inventory as the family would have to pay off any remaining unsold stock.

“We have no firm date for closing,” said Bell. ”We don’t want to set a hard date and then all of a sudden have to cover the cost of all of the unsold inventory.”  On the other hand, the Bells are targeting Friday, Oct. 31, as their last day in business. The date is subject to change, however, due to a number of unresolved factors including whether or not another dealership will come in and purchase the business.

 The family is in negotiations with a number of dealers interested in buying remaining cars and trucks and, perhaps, evens the real estate. “It is a very sudden thing and a lot of things are undecided at this time,” said Bell.

 

 
Gary Bell and his Uncle Frank Bell

The dealership, which normally carries about $3 to $3.5 million in automotive inventory, stopped ordering cars about two weeks ago. We still have special orders coming in, but nothing to stock the showroom.”

As vice president of operations, Bell emphasized that everything will remain the same for customers right up until the end. “We will still be able to secure financing for new buyers, service vehicles and handle warranty parts and labor,” he said.

Bell said his 35 employees are like family and any dealership that hires them will be getting great employees.  

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