An attempt to reach the owner of Owl Chrysler Jeep Inc., Gary W. Goodman, for comment, Friday, was unsuccessful. Signs on their doors, however, tell it plainly: “Closed- Out of Business.”
The signs went up on the showroom and parts department doors on Thursday, November 20.
News of the closure follows grim national news of the struggle facing General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co., and Chrysler LLC. According to The Associated Press, U.S. automakers are trying to stay afloat heading into 2009 amid an economic meltdown, precipitous drop in sales and a tight credit market. The three companies burned through nearly $18 billion in cash reserves during the last quarter and GM and Chrysler have said they could collapse in weeks. The automakers are still hoping for a $25 billion bailout from Congress.
Owl Chrysler started at 818 Church Street, Honesdale, and moved to their new building on 250 Grandview Avenue, Texas Township, in late 2005. Their former location, commonly known as the Owl Garage, was a stone building built for a livery business in 1877. It was removed in October 2006 for the Dime Bank’s parking area.
Goodman purchased the former Owl Garage in June 1976. The “Owl” name originated with the all-night (and all-day) hours the former garage business had.