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Archive for Saturday, November 11, 2006

Jim Clark Motors marks 50 years in business

November 11, 2006

More than 50 years since he started working at Jim Clark Motors emptying wastebaskets and sweeping floors in the shop, Loris "Junior" Brubeck stood before friends, family and more than 50 employees at his dealership Friday to accept congratulations and offer thanks.

A golden anniversary doesn't happen every day.

"To think of all the dealerships we have outlived - there's probably 20 or 30 of them in the last 50 years," Brubeck told the assembled crowd over lunch Friday.

"Everybody here is a huge part of that, and in our business that's a huge accomplishment - in order to stay in one place for 50 years, become a success and still be a viable business."

To recognize the longevity of Brubeck and the Jim Clark Motors dealership he owns, DaimlerChrysler presented Brubeck with a special recognition award Friday for being in business for 50 years. Brubeck also accepted an award of excellence from his staff.

Brubeck started working at the dealership in May 1956, four months after Jim Clark opened the place as a lot for Chrysler and Plymouth vehicles. Having worked up through a variety of positions - including completing his purchase of the business in the early 1990s - Brubeck continues to sell new Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Volkswagen vehicles, and used vehicles, at 2121 W. 29th Terrace.

John Dasenbrock, district sales manager for DaimlerChrysler, prepares to present a special recognition award Friday to Loris "Junior" Brubeck, owner of Jim Clark Motors. The award - one of two presented Friday at the dealership, 2121 W. 29th St. - recognizes Brubeck and the dealership he owns for 50 years in business. Brubeck started working at the dealership in 1956.

John Dasenbrock, district sales manager for DaimlerChrysler, traveled to Lawrence from Denver to present the achievement award. He has been visiting Jim Clark Motors for 30 years now, and still marvels at the operation's longevity.

"We've had a lot of fun together, and we're done a lot of training together," Dasenbrock said, in presenting the award. "This is one of the dealerships I love."

Brubeck doesn't expect many people - if anyone at all - to follow in his career footsteps. Jim Clark had offered Brubeck unprecedented opportunities to ascend the dealership's ranks, and eventually acquire something that he couldn't have imagined now some 50 years ago.

"It would be impossible for someone to start out like I did - with nothing on Earth - and end up this way, in one of these places today," Brubeck said. "It would cost too much money."