EASTHAMPTON — Cernak Buick, which has sold cars in Easthampton since the 1940s, will be closing its doors this year.
Cernak was started by Samuel Cernak in 1940 as a Studebaker dealership, before becoming a Buick dealership in 1948, and it is a third-generation family business. Currently, it is run by Ken Cernak, his daughter Jennifer and his son Jeffrey, and employs more than 20 people. It has also remained in the same location on Northampton Street.
“It’s going to be hard for a lot of people,” said Jennifer Cernak, on the coming closing.
Cernak noted that the dealership has been a part of her family’s life for her entire life.
“And my father’s entire life,” she said.
Cernak also said that she believes Cernak Buick to be the oldest continuously owned Buick dealer in Massachusetts.
She said she does not know exactly when the business will close, as they are still working out the final details.
In a Monday press release from Cernak Buick, thinner retail margins were brought up, as was the decline of “mom and pop” stores in favor of superstores and online retailers.
“The car industry is no different,” the release states. “After 80 years in our current location on Route 10 in Easthampton, Cernak Buick will soon be closing its doors. We faced the same challenges that many family businesses face against large scale franchises and big box retail.”
The release also notes that Cernak is the last single-line Buick dealer in New England, and one of the last in the country.
A single-line dealer only sells vehicles from one brand — in Cernak’s case, Buicks. Some of the vehicles that Cernak sells are the Encore SUV, the Envision SUV and the Enclave SUV.
“We do feel like it’s been a herculean effort to be a single-line Buick dealer,” Cernak said.
The release also describes the business’s customers as “family.”
“We knew grandparents, parents and their children and it was always more than just selling vehicles,” the company stated. “It was being part of the fabric of the community. Despite manufacturer pressures regarding being located in Easthampton, we always remained loyal to our home town (city) of Easthampton.”
“It has been a great run,” said Jennifer Cernak.
She also said the employees have been wonderful and supportive in the current situation.
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com.