Its owner also plans a new dealership next door
By B.C. Manion
Heritage Ford in Wesley Chapel has been renamed Parks Ford of Wesley Chapel, in a rebranding move that makes the dealership’s name consistent with Parks Lincoln of Tampa – another dealership owned by Ron Parks, who is president of the dealerships.
The car dealership’s owner is doing more than just changing the name of his Wesley Chapel dealership, though. He’s also planning to construct a dealership specializing in Fiats and Alfa Romeos on a parcel east of the Ford dealership, which is at 28739 SR 54.
“We’re in the permitting stages right now,” said Terry Mullane, general manager for the Ford and Lincoln dealerships, who will be assuming that role for the new dealership, too.
Plans for the new dealership call for building about 18,000 square feet of space, with the first phase being about 8,000 square feet for the dealership’s showroom, Mullane said. “It’s going to have a nice Italian showroom.”
Additional square footage will be used for the parts and service departments, he said.
Once permits are secured, Mullane expects the dealership to be built in three to six months. The project’s estimated price tag will approach $1.8 million.
Chrysler approached the Parks family to open the new dealership because of the family’s solid reputation in the car business, Mullane said.
He expects the dealership to begin operations with about 12 employees and to add more as the business grows.
Fiat and Alfa Romeo are making their re-entry into the United States’ market, Mullane said. “Chrysler felt good about the timing, and we feel good about Chrysler,” the general manager added.
The dealership also is optimistic about Wesley Chapel’s future.
“The road construction (SR 54) is almost done,” Mullane said. A Walmart also is going in nearby, he said, noting the economy is gradually improving.
The dealership expects to serve a market that includes Wesley Chapel, New Tampa and most of Tampa, Mullane said.
