By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
A Whitewater-based automotive dealership with roots stretching back more than four decades has changed ownership, based on recently announced plans.
Lee Loveall has purchased Big Deal Used Cars, 515 E. Milwaukee St., with plans of maintaining most of the products and services that have long been offered through the business, which was built and began operations in 1976.
The ownership change was discussed at the most recent meeting of the city’s Plan and Architectural Review Commission and was approved. Based on plans Loveall submitted to commissioners, he intends to continue selling, as well as renting them out on a daily basis. Nowadays, people may search for autoparts online instead of going to a dealer, however, it is still important that they are available for immediate car needs.
City documents state Loveall’s business plan also calls for limited vehicle servicing, though he clarified the scope of what he would be able to do would be minimal, based on the building’s size and layout.
“That’s not really possible at the facility when you don’t have a lift or anything like that,” Loveall said.
One component Loveall said he is interested in adding is the day rentals. While a U-Haul rental facility is located two blocks from the Big Deal site, an amenity such as renting vehicles has been viewed as a need within the community.
“I, personally, think it would be a plus for this location,” said council member Lynn Binnie, who serves on the commission.
Loveall said he has no intention of changing the name of the business. Big Deal has been the moniker at the property since at least the mid-1980s.
“They’ve had a nice reputation on this property for quite some time,” Loveall said. “It would be our intention to continue that.”
The commissioners’ approval was contingent on a number of standard stipulations, including keeping all equipment, tools and car parts indoors and keeping all sale vehicles in striped parking spaces.
