Celebrating the new Revell's in Verona

Jun 05, 2014

Three of the four generations of the Revell family were on hand in Verona on May 28 celebrating the recent facelift and expansion at the Ford Lincoln dealership that has called Verona home for 78 years.

Harry Revell, his sons Larry and Al and their sons Nathan, Josh and Brad, were all present greeting customers and members of the community who came out to enjoy snacks, live music and the official ribbon cutting ceremony at the dealership. The business recently underwent an impressive expansion and facelift that was headed up by local contractor Steve Tarasick. It includes a brand-new two-car-length service drive through with a new upstairs area that includes a meeting/lunchroom for employees and four new office spaces. A new Lincoln Ford tower was built out front and the entire main showroom downstairs was also renovated. The parts and service areas switched locations from north to south respectively and Larry Revell said that he hopes the new 16,000 square foot space, which now includes 12 service bays and nine additional bays in the body shop “will give our loyal customers a new and improved experience”.

Four generations of the Revell family have been involved in the business for its close to eight decades of operation in the community. Larry and Al's grandfather, Wesley Revell, originally opened the business in 1936 and his son Harry and his brother Glen soon took over the dealership side of the business. Al came into the business in 1975 and Larry in 1977. Their sons, Josh, Brad and Nate now work in the business as well.

Larry Revell spoke at the event first, thanking many of the special guests who attended, including South Frontenac mayor, Gary Davison, and councilors Ron Vandewal, John McDougall, Allan McPhail, and Bill Robinson. Representatives from Ford were also on hand, including Ford Motor Credit's Eastern Canada regional manager Kevin Taylor, business development manager Warren Russell, and Ford Motor Company sales managers Steve Semenak and Jennifer Strang, who each had a chance to speak.

Harry Revell was given the scissors to perform the ribbon cutting, which was preceded by a celebratory playing of the bagpipes by OPP Constable Mark Wellwood. Musicians Tom Thompson and John Kott also performed throughout the event. Close to 100 members of the community attended the opening and Kim Sproule offered up tours of the newly renovated facility.

Asked what has made this family business, which is one of Ford's oldest family-owned dealerships, such an ongoing success, Larry said it is the employees and the family tradition of treating customers with honesty and respect.

Harry Revell is now 86 years old. He entered the business out of high school, first working in the grocery store and then selling cars shortly after that. Harry said he always wanted to get into the car business for the simple fact that he loved cars. Harry, who has always driven Fords, said that he never imagined the business looking as it does today. Harry's father Wesley originally knocked down two houses to put in the two-bay dealership, which had two gas pumps out front. Harry recalled selling a lot of cars back in those days. Asked how the business has changed over the years. Harry said, “Today the Ford company is building better products which is what has kept customers coming back year after year.”

Harry credited his dad Wesley with passing along his values to the family business, which he said are based on church going values that put hard work and honesty first. Larry Revell also credited the patience, loyalty and hard work of his many long-time employees, some of whom have been working with the Revell family for over four decades.