Currie Motors Drivers Edge is helping fund a study to help bring economic development to Olympia Fields.
The used-car dealership at 21000 S. Western Ave., just north of U.S. 30, has given the village $10,000 to augment a $30,000 grant from the state’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, village manager David Mekarski said.
“They’ve been working with the village, not only to strengthen their store, but with redevelopment of the whole corridor,” Mekarski said.
Developer Joe Salamone, who bought the vacant Harold Motors site around the corner, also donated $10,000, Mekarski said.
“That pushed the funding up to $50,000 which allows us to do some strong analysis toward redevelopment possibilities,” Mekarski said.
It’s an investment in the future and the village, Currie Motors president Steve Jankelow said.
He’s hoping that the study results in new economic development for Olympia Fields, which, of course, could bring more potential customers to Currie Motors Drivers Edge.
The dealership has been in the village since 2002, moving in when others were moving out.
Currie Motors Drivers Edge filled a void when Olympia Fields Ford left for the Matteson Auto Mall in 2002.
Currie plans to stay and be part of any development, Jankelow said.
There are 17 acres of land on the Currie and Howard sites at the northwest corner of U.S. 30 and Western Avenue. It could be room for a big-box development, he said.
“It’s a good area. The demographics are good. We like it here,” Jankelow said.
“Obviously, the village would like to develop the corner and we’d be here with the used car business and self-storage,” Jankelow said.
Last year, Currie Motors Drivers Edge opened a 140-unit self-storage facility in what had been the service garage to bring in extra income.
Used car sales are up 30 to 40 percent from one year ago, general manager Jeremy Humpal said.
Humpal said Currie’s guaranteed credit approval is a reason. Currie offers its own credit, making it easier for customers to get loans.
“We can literally finance anybody if they have a provable source of income,” Humpal said.
Rates start at about 4 percent, he said.
Currie, which is based in London, has a 50-year presence in the Chicago area.
It has a Chevy dealership in Forest Park and a Ford dealership in Frankfort that sells the most Ford trucks in the Midwest.
In Olympia Fields, you can find all makes and models, from the budget-minded compact to the shiny black Mercedes-Benz.
The dealership has 11 employees, Humpal said, and service is sublet to local garages.
Each car that’s brought in gets a thorough inspection before being put on the lot, Jankelow said.
And if you don’t like the car you buy, Currie has a 14-day exchange policy.
Chances are Currie Motors’ motto, “Nice people to do business with,” is well-known to many readers.
These days, there’s an optimistic addition.
A sign reading “We are not participating in the recession. We want to do business with you,” is in the front door.
“Fortunately, we ‘ ve been able to sustain the tough times and keep this business running,” Jankelow added.
