The lot has essentially sat vacant since spring of 2009, so this is evidence that new owner Car Pros is making progress (read our most recent coverage here):

Look closely and you can see new cars parked in the Burien Nissan lot, which has sat empty since spring of 2009.

Photographer Michael Brunk stopped by Burien Nissan on Monday and shot a few additional photos. Besides cars on the lot there are definite signs of activity in the showroom as well. We’ll update you with more details as they become available.

We got an email tip from BTB Reader Jennifer about a Job Ad posted Monday (Aug. 31st) on Craigslist that implies that the closed/empty Burien Nissan may be re-opening in mid-September under new management from CarPros, which appears to own several dealerships in Tacoma, Seattle and Carson, CA.

Here’s the Ad:

Re-Opening Auburn & Burien Nissan (Auburn & Burien)

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Date: 2009-08-31, 3:07PM PDT
Reply to: jobs@carpros.com

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Automotive Parts or Service experience? Opportunity knocks!!!Nissan Dealerships are gearing up for mid September opening, we are seeking qualified applicants for all Dealership positions.

Bring your Parts or Service experience and join an award winning Puget Sound Automotive Dealer Group.
We set the standard for professionally managed Parts & Service, our environment encourages personal and professional growth and includes rewarding pay plans with superior benefits.

E mail jobs@carpros.com
Fax (563) 405-8144, experienced professionals feel free to direct dial Bradley Wolf @ (253) 222-4836

Applicants must be 18 years of age, possess a valid drivers license and be drug free. Car Pros is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Burien Nissan (their former website is still down and no new one could be found), located in a shiny lot at 16042 First Ave South, closed for business in May under ownership of the Rainier Automotive Group, which lost “flooring” (aka financing) and had their entire inventory reclaimed by Nissan in a 24-hour period in March.

Since then, the lot has stood empty, like a recently-remodeled $5 million, modern ghost town car lot in Burien.

We’re investigating this developing story further, and will have more in-depth coverage soon, so be sure to check back often, or subscribe to our free RSS Feed or receive updates via email.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• BREAKING NEWS: Burien Nissan Is Now Officially Closed
• Burien Nissan Expecting New Financing In “A Few Weeks”
• UPDATE: More Information On Burien Nissan’s Inventory
• Burien Nissan Loses Entire Stock, Now An Empty Lot

Story by Janet Grella
Photos by Michael Brunk

UPDATE 8pm 5/12/09: According to the Puget Sound Business Journal, a company called MD Johnson is advising Burien Nissan’s owner, Rainier Automotive, on the sale of this as well as the Auburn Nissan dealership.

PREVIOUSLY: It’s official – Burien Nissan is now closed.

When we attempted to reach John Antonelli, Sales Manager, he actually hung up on us!

That’s right – rather than talk with us about what’s going on, he hung up the phone. The last time we spoke with Mr. Antonelli (March 30th), he claimed “It’s still business as usual. Should have some good news on financing in a few weeks…”

We then called the dealership’s number and received the following recorded message – listen closely as the woman’s voice cracks on the last sentence (“…and wish you all well.”):

[display_podcast]

“Thank you for calling Burien Nissan. At this time our dealership is closed. We have enjoyed being a part of your lives and a part of the Burien community. We appreciate your business over the years and wish you all well.”

According to manta.com, Burien Nissan employed 40 people and had estimated sales of $14.3 million in 2008.

Burien Nissan was part of the Rainier Automotive Group that included Auburn Nissan, along with Eastide Subaru and Eastside Hyandai, both in Kirkland.

At Auburn Nissan the phone rang so long it went to busy (they are closed for business also). At Eastside Subaru we were told that “parts and service are still open and we’re going through a change of ownership and should be open for sales in the next couple of weeks.”

At Eastside Hyandai we got only a voicemail box.

Here’s a photo slideshow of what Burien Nissan looks like now, shot Tuesday afternoon by Photographer Michael Brunk, who says that while he was there, a locksmith was changing the locks on the doors:

Click to View Slideshow

All the associated websites are still functioning, with no mention of any closings, as if it’s “business as usual,” when in reality, it’s not.

Previously, we broke the news that Burien Nissan lost its entire inventory when their “flooring” fell through and the financing company basically repossessed their entire car lot over a 24-hour period around March 13th.

No word yet on what will become of this business, nor of the large lot it sits on.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Burien Nissan Expecting New Financing In “A Few Weeks”
• UPDATE: More Information On Burien Nissan’s Inventory
• Burien Nissan Loses Entire Stock, Now An Empty Lot

As we first reported last Friday (March 13th), longtime auto dealer Burien Nissan had its entire lot of new cars (around 100) hauled away within the span of two days.

It may appear that the dealership has, or is, going out of business – but it’s not, according to Sales Manager John Antonelli:

“There are 1,900 Nissan Dealerships in the United States. 900 of them are in the same situation that Burien Nissan is in.

There are also around four other Nissan Dealerships in the State of Washington in the same situation.

Any Nissan Dealership that has a dual franchise like a Ford,Chevy,Dodge ect and that is Floored and collateralised with NMAC. NMAC will pull your flooring and make you find a New flooring bank for all of your New and Used Cars that are 2004 or newer without enough ample time to do so.

We are open for business as usual for Sales,Parts, and Service.

This could take days or even weeks to get a new flooring bank.

We would like to say thank you very much to our customers and the businesses in our surrounding area for all your support and phone calls.

This means alot to us that we have a great community that really cares about Burien Nissan and our employees.”

We will continue to follow this story as it develops, and will bring you more updates as they happen.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Burien Nissan Loses Entire Stock, Now An Empty Lot

UPDATE 9/1/09: An email tip leads us to believe that Burien Nissan will be re-opening in mid-September – read the latest here.

Story and Photos by Janet Grella

BREAKING NEWS: Burien Nissan, located at the Five Corners intersection of First Ave South and SW 160th, has lost its entire stock of cars and is now basically an empty lot.

Since Wednesday, numerous auto carrier trucks have been hauling vehicles away from the lot, with a total of 100 new cars removed, which we estimate to be between $2 and $3 million in inventory.

But, according to Sales Manager John Antonelli, “it’s business as usual – we’re still open for business in service, parts and sales. When we get our new financing we’ll re-open in a couple of weeks.”

The hauled-away Nissan cars are apparently being taken to a nearby port, and will be auctioned off in the near future.

Antonelli says that new inventory will likely return in a few weeks, and that Burien Nissan is in the middle of a “financial restructuring.”

Twenty-seven employees have been laid off, with just eight remaining on staff.

Burien auto dealers account for a significant portion of tax revenue for Burien, and Dick Loman, Economic Development Director for the city, said “This sorry economic downturn is just hurting everybody.”

Original owner’s son David Gjersee sits at his desk Friday in-between phone calls with potential buyers. Gjersee’s Father started Burien Datsun on this location in 1969, and he now serves as a Sales Professional. This business is one of the oldest Nissan dealerships in the US.

Gjersee also said it was “business as usual” even though he had no cars to sell.

This Reporter walked on to the empty lot late Friday morning and noticed that while there were no new Nissans on the lot, there were still a few cars present, which were most likely employee vehicles; however, the service department was busy.

As a longtime Burien resident, I found it shocking to see, especially after their $5 million remodel a year and a half ago.

This story is still developing, and we’ll post updates as we get them.

Car companies and auto dealers have never been known as the most environmentally-conscious businesses around, but times are changing. Many car dealerships and auto body shops are now using waterborne paint.

With everything and everyone “going green,” auto dealers are starting to become that way too – including BTB Advertiser Burien Honda, the first Burien-area car dealer to convert to this new ecologically-safe product.

Waterborne paint is much more environmentally-friendly than previously-used solvent based. The paint can be used in any color and be made to match older car colors that are unique to individual models. According to manufacturers, waterborne paint has these advantages:

• They contains and emit less organic solvent into the atmosphere
• They provide certain refinishing benefits and offer lower toxicity
• They may lower insurance costs (since water is the major solvent, the product is less flammable)
  

With times changing, Burien Honda is definitely one that is changing with the times, so let’s give them a round of applause for helping save our environment. It needed to happen soon and it looks like it has.

We can all join Burien Honda in saving the world by just doing small things, such as riding your bike or the bus to work instead of alone in a car will help, along with turning off lights and conserving electricity.

Some things that we take for granted can really affect the environment.

What are you doing that is “green”?

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Josh Hart is the B-Town Blog's first Intern! He's also a 15-year old student at Highline's “Big Picture High School” in SeaTac.

You can read more of his writing here...]