Car Dealership to Close After Nearly 70 Years

Jeff Jarrett sold what would be his last car earlier this month. And before the new owners of the Chevy Astro could drive away, Jarrett marked the occasion.

"I told the customer, 'you’re going to go down in history to be my last customer, so give me a hug,' " Jarrett, 51, shared of his last sale at third-generation I.M. Jarrett and Sons in Hatboro. "You develop more than just customers, you develop friends. It was good for us and we were good for them."

In the dealership's 67 years in Hatboro, Jarrett–the last generation to help run the family business that his grandfather, Isaac Mather Jarrett started in 1946–said that 37,822 cars had been sold. 

Now, with the business all but sold, Jarrett and his father, Frank, 82, are selling off auto parts, computers, TVs and more as they await closing on the property. Frank Jarrett said he expects closing to occur within a few weeks. Since the sale has not been finalized yet, both Jarretts asked that Patch not disclose the name of the new owner. 

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But, what Jeff Jarrett could share, was that he will be managing the new business once it opens, following renovations. 

"My car knows how to just get here," he said of the job he's held since 1980. Even before the youngest Jarrett took to working in the parts department and later selling cars, he spent his middle school days washing cars. 

"It was great working with everybody," he said. "There was always a great bunch of people working here."

Although difficult to leave the business he helped his father grow beginning in 1956, . But, on Wednesday, he said the intent, even then, was to sell the entire property.

"We no longer have the Dodge franchise," said the eldest Jarrett of the franchise's termination in 2009 following Chrysler's bankruptcy. "We were left here with inventory of cars, parts and service that we were responsible to get rid of."

In all, he said the dealership was left with 40 to 50 cars and a "couple hundred thousand dollars" worth of parts and "not even a 'good luck' from them."

From there, Mr. Jarrett said the company focused on used cars, but without a franchise he said it was "difficult to keep it going."

To further complicate matters, in The dealership's automotive inventory was hit hard and more than a dozen vehicles were damaged. Five months later, the property was put up for sale. 

"We decided to move on," he said. "I'll be doing something. I'm not sure what."

Like his son, Frank Jarrett said he'll take memories of "good, loyal customers" with him long after the business closes.

"I could write a book," Jeff Jarrett said. "I’ve had so many great memories and great stories and met so many great people. It’s been fun."

An added perk is that the new business hopes to keep the existing telephone number for I.M. Jarrett and Sons, meaning Jeff Jarrett can still have the opportunity to serve some of his customers who phone the 215-672-4100 number.

"I can still answer their questions," he said.