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A salute to Zook Motors, Kane’s Business-of-the-Year |
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Written by Publisher
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Thursday, 28 May 2009 |
Photo by Ted Lutz
Zook Motors, the ninth oldest Ford dealership in Pennsylvania, has been chosen as the Kane area Business-of-the-Year. The Kane Area Chamber of Commerce will honor Zook Motors at a banquet Friday at the Kane Country Club. The business owners include John Zook, left, and his daughter, Sue Zook Wilson, center, and his son, Ken Zook.
By Ted Lutz
Republican Staff
Zook Motors, the ninth oldest Ford dealership in Pennsylvania, has been serving the Kane area community for 87 years.
The basis for the company’s long-time success has been its outstanding service and a friendly and courteous staff.
“We are pulling together to bring the best products and service to all of our customers,” John Zook said.
A 60-year employee at the dealership, John is the owner of Zook Motors along with his daughter, Sue Zook Wilson and his son, Ken Zook.
The Kane Area Chamber of Commerce will recognize Zook Motors as its “Business-of-the-Year” at a banquet Friday at the Kane Country Club. The banquet begins at 6:30 p.m.
“It’s quite an honor,” John Zook said in expressing his appreciation for the Chamber recognition.
The roots of Zook Motors go back to 1922.
John Zook, father of the current co-owner, began the company with his brother, Ralph T. Zook, and partners W.S. and J.E. Calderwood. The elder John Zook became the sole owner of the business in 1925 when it was known as the “Midway Garage” at 22 Field St., Kane.
The name of the Ford dealership was changed to Zook Motors in 1949. That same year, current co-owner John Zook was only a teenager when he began work in the company body shop on the Commons in Kane.
A brother, Bruce worked in the parts and service departments at the Field Street location.
Bruce Zook took over as general manager after founder John Zook died in 1954. Bruce and Sales Manager Greg Rich operated the successful dealership for over three decades, cementing Zook Motors as a pillar of commerce in Kane as well as Northwest Pennsylvania.
Bruce Zook and Rich both died in 1984. Current co-owner John Zook, now 73, took over and runs the family business with his daughter and son.
“One of the best things about serving the local community all these years has been the many different people we have gotten to know through selling and servicing their vehicles,” John Zook said. “The automotive industry and our community have changed dramatically over the years. It has been interesting and challenging to be a part of it all.
“I enjoy what I do.”
Zook Motors expanded its location on Field Street several times, but eventually had to seek more space for its growing operation.
In 2002, Zook Motors broke ground for its new showroom and service facility on Route 6 in Wetmore Township just west of Kane.
Ken Zook, who is the senior master service technician at Zook Motors, designed the interior layout of the dealership.
The dealership won a Golden Shovel Award from the Ford Motor Co. in recognition of providing leading-edge facilities to support long-term customer satisfaction and loyalty.
The new location gives Zook Motors more space to display both new and used vehicles. The new facility also has 16 bays for servicing vehicles. The Field Street site had only six bays.
Zook Motors also more than doubled the number of employees when it moved to its new location. The company now has about 20 employees.
Zook Motors continues to offer personal attention to its loyal customers, both those buying new and used vehicles and those having their vehicles serviced.
“We are looking forward to serving Kane and the surrounding area for many years to come,” John Zook said.
The company motto says it all.
“You are not just a customer, but part of our family.”
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 30 July 2009 )
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