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Read the press release here.

$57 Million Ford Dealer Ready to Roll Along Bucktown, Lincoln Park Border

By Alisa Hauser | August 26, 2015 9:42am
 Inside Fox Ford Lincoln, opening on Sept. 1.
Fox Ford Lincoln at 2501 N. Elston Ave.
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BUCKTOWN — Welcome to the new era of car buying, where sales people armed with iPads are now called Product Specialists, customers in a hurry are promised a free oil change if their wait is longer than 30 minutes and even the bathrooms are photo-worthy.

"Non-hassle, non-pressure, non-confrontational, a feel-at-home approach," is how Pete Ricard, Fox Ford Lincoln of Chicago's General Manager described the planned vibe for the new $57 million dealership on the border of Bucktown and Lincoln Park.

Set to open Tuesday at 2501 N. Elston Ave. just north of the Damen, Elston and Fullerton intersection, the massive 145,000-square-foot concrete, metal and glass facility will replace Fox Ford's South Side dealership at 2401 S. Michigan Ave.

The dealership — part of the Michigan-based Fox Motors Group franchise —  is owned by Dan DeVos, a River North resident who also owns two Harley Davidson dealerships in the suburbs and an apparel store at 668 N. Michigan Ave.

Along with an array of new Ford cars stored indoors and used cars parked in a lot outside, the 3-story dealership boasts a "Quick Lane" car service center that will service any type of car for oil changes and diagnostic repairs.

"Lincoln Black Label," a luxury car that offers customized interiors, has a dedicated showroom, too.

More than 50 Chicago area vendors and suppliers and roughly 200 local residents were employed for the 15-month project, which began construction last summer

The new dealership has added 60 new permanent dealership jobs and expects to hire 55 more workers in sales, parts and service within the next year, a spokeswoman said.

Designed by Gensler Architects, the environmentally-friendly building, which is pending LEED Gold Certification, features a small riverfront walking path behind the facility, four free electric car charging stations for hybrid cars and a 2-acre green roof.

Currently there are no bike racks but a spokeswoman said the firm is looking into it.

The roof, designed by Michigan-based LiveRoof, is not open to the public, though its benefits will help to reduce storm water runoff and the soil provides natural insulation, Ricard said during a tour.

Though not formerly opening until Tuesday, Ricard said prospective buyers are welcome to walk in and inquire about the cars parked in the lot or showroom or outside, as some passersby have already done.

"We won't turn anyone away [before Sept. 1]," Ricard promised.

And, as an added incentive, the first person to buy a car at the new dealership will get his or her photo framed on a wall in the foyer and a free pair of tickets to the Chicago Bears’ kickoff concert featuring Fallout Boy on Sept. 11.

Fox Ford Lincoln, Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.  Closed Sunday.  The dealership has product specialists who speak Polish, Spanish and some Russian.   Ph: 312-605-4200.

A portion of Fox Ford Lincoln's 2-acre green roof. [All photos by DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser]

[The used car lot ar Fox Lincoln Chicago.]

 

Pete Ricard, general manager of Fox Ford Lincoln of Chicago.

Fox Ford Lincoln's "Quick Lane" area, offering oil changes, repairs and tune-ups.

 

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