Volkswagen in Duluth
I am really thrilled that they were able to remodel and re-use the Saturn dealership by the mall as a Volkswagen dealership. According to local news reports, Volkswagen hasn’t had a presence around here for 20 years. Does anyone know who the last dealer in the area was? I’ve heard there was once a place on the hillside that sold Volkswagens. Does anyone recall that?
I was just talking to my boss last night. He seems to remember a dealership on Central Entrance near to where the copasetic is located. Couldn’t remember a name though. I’m thinking I’m just old enough to remember there being a lot more dealerships on that stretch in the past. I agree, its great they were able to use the “old” Saturn location. I’ve seen modern euro dealers overseas and a lot utilize those auto elevators to showcase cars on second or even third levels on a building. I think Eich Motors in St. Cloud has something similar. My only concern is the lack of visibility from Miller Trunk. Time will only tell. It’s part of the same owner group that owns Northstar, Benna, Sonju & Kia. I think they’ve got a few more too.
The dealership on Central Entrance was the Volvo/Subaru Dealership. That building now houses the Radco Truck Accessories store. If you’re old enough you might remember the VW Dealership that was on East Third Street across from the old Jefferson School. The building is still there. I think it’s some kind of medical supply business.
This photo from 1977 at the News Tribune Attic confirms Bob L’s comment. You can see the Volvo sign in the background.
It was part of the Ryland dealership, which also had Ford. I believe it is now the Kia of Duluth dealership. Ryland dropped VW in the late 1980s.
Lakehead Auto had the VW dealership for many years. For a while they even carried Audi and Porsche. My wife and I bought our beloved 1976 VW Rabbit there. Bruce, Jim, and Red were three of the guys I remember. Lakehead was located on Miller Trunk Highway at the current Kolar Toyota site. The VW dealership later (early 1980s) transferred to Ryland Ford in the lovely West End, now site of the Kia dealership. It’ll be nice to see VW back in Duluth.
I used to work in the 3rd St. building across from Jefferson for SMDC, and had heard once that it was a VW dealer back in the day. Does anyone recall the name of the dealership?
The Volvo/Subaru dealership was Continental Motors.
Zeito, when did you work in the east annex building?
’05-’09. Not sure if you remember me but I sat next to you for like two years.
I’m surprised you remember sitting next to me – most people go to therapy to purge the memories. 😉
Hey, we can have an East Annex Help Desk reunion right here.
BTW – the 3rd St. Building did house Midwest Medical for a time after it stopped being a BMW shop.