The premises of the old Canadian Tire store in Courtenay will be transformed into the new Comox Valley Dodge dealership in the coming months.
For decades, the dealership has been operating on the North Island Highway where it intersects with Veterans Memorial Parkway.
“We’re going to go from the smallest dealership to the largest,” said Michael Marchi, who owns Comox Valley Dodge. “At 51,000 square feet, I don’t believe there’s a dealership in B.C. bigger than this one.”
Canadian Tire had operated at the four-acre site at the intersection of Ryan Road and North Island Highway before relocating to Driftwood Mall. Comox Valley Dodge takes possession of the site June 21.
“You couldn’t get a better location. It’s the hub of the community,” Marchi said. “That building has been dormant for the last four years. We’re going to breathe some life into it, and you’re going to have a busy little store. We have a lot of great plans for the future.”
The plans include a one-acre showroom, three lounges and a massive detail department. Marchi also wants to have a food truck onsite.
“We want our clients to have a great experience,” he said. “We want it be an experience, not just a car dealership.”
Marchi expects to secure a building permit in the coming weeks. Notwithstanding issues with the supply of goods, he plans to open the new dealership this fall, possibly by mid-October.
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The former Canadian Tire site at Ryan and the Old Island Highway is four acres. Scott Stanfield photo
