Car czar Dealin’ Doug Moreland is wheelin’ and dealin’ again with the purchase of Lithia Volkswagen of Thornton, the last Lithia dealership in Colorado.
With the acquisition, Moreland, who closes on the deal today, will be ranked the second- largest new-car-dealership owner in the state, with 14 properties. Automobile giant AutoNation remains No. 1.
When Moreland and his business partner, Alex Jannicelli, take over the business, it will be renamed Dealin’ Doug’s North Valley Volkswagen.
The ownership change completes a full circle of deals Moreland has done with Lithia Motors Inc. since the Oregon-based company entered the market by buying seven dealerships from him for $50 million in 1999.
Since 2009, Moreland has been buying back those businesses. The Volkswagen-dealership acquisition also marks Moreland’s first one of that brand in 10 years.
“It’s a great franchise and a great location next to Skyline Mitsubishi and Grand Buick GMC Kia,” Moreland said. “I can look out my window and see it.”
Moreland also said he’s building a Volkswagen dealership in Tucson.
In the Thornton purchase, where Moreland already owns the land at 1900 W. 104th Ave., he’ll offer all 30 to 35 employees the opportunity to keep working there.
“I hope to increase the number of employees to at least 50,” he said.
Tim Jackson, president of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association, applauded More land’s move to buy back the Lithia Volkswagen store.
“Dealin’ Doug Moreland continues to sharpen his already- razor-sharp entrepreneurial skills by adding locations and brands to his large auto-dealership group,” Jackson said.
Right Start returns.
Right Start, the once-bankrupt children’s-equipment chain now owned by Douglas County- based Liberty Media, opened its first Colorado outlet at 3000 E. Third Ave. in the old Cook’s Mart space Friday.
For Right Start, the opening signifies a return to Cherry Creek North, where the company operated a store several years ago in the space above Rodney’s restaurant.
Four Seasons turns 1.
Four Seasons Hotel Denver is celebrating its first anniversary Nov. 11 with restaurant, hotel- room and spa deals for $111. The Edge Restaurant is having a masquerade party and a special menu for $111 per couple.
The spa is also celebrating with an 80-minute massage or facial treatment for $111 from Nov. 7-11.
Doc talk.
Aurora-based Dr. Kenneth Versman, a partner with Periodontal Associates, was recently elected vice president of the national American Dental Association. The organization represents all dentists in the country.
“He now can say he, like the toothpastes, has the official ADA seal of approval,” said his business partner, Dr. Doug Heller.
Eavesdropping
On a protester and a passer-by at the
Occupy Denver gathering on the 16th
Street Mall in front of the Federal Reserve
Bank on Saturday. The protester
was yelling at passers-by.
“You are the 99 percent!”
“How dare he? How does he know I’m
not in the 1 percent?”
Penny Parker’s column appears Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail pparker@denverpost.com.
