PORT ROYAL - Family Auto LLC is now open for business in Port Royal, adding a second location to the Lewistown-based dealer. The pre-owned car dealership's second location can be found just off the Port Royal exit of U.S. 22/322.
The new location is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each Wednesday and Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, and can be reached by telephone at 320-5015.
The company is owned by Dan Elsesser and his wife, Pam, and was established in 2005. Over the years, the Elsessers expanded the business in Lewistown, adding to the sales team, paving the parking lot, and building a service department. The business now employs eight people.
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Sentinel photo by BUFFIE BOYER
Salesman Daniel Cram shows one of the vehicles available at the new Family Auto location Wednesday in Port Royal.
Part of the reasoning behind opening the Port Royal location was simply that many of their customers are from Juniata County, Dan said. More than that though, Family Auto wants to help people who may be having difficulty buying a car because of credit issues.
"There are good people who have had bad circumstances. We want to help those people," sales manager Tim Matthews said.
Elsesser said that some of the financing options available are meant to assist people who are trying to rebuild their credit.
"People aren't able to buy a vehicle to get to work," he said, "so we worked on acquiring one of the best financing companies to help those specific people to get financing."
Elsesser and Matthews stressed that the company Family Auto works with looks at an individual's circumstances and current income more than a credit score alone.
The expansion also has allowed the dealership to provide low rates to buyers without credit issues. Either way, Matthews said the goal is the same.
"We have really focused on being the dealer you can trust," Matthews said. "It's very important to us to maintain a high level of integrity."
