Business on Burien’s auto row along 1st Ave. S. is about to get busier again. And this new commercial activity should give the city a welcome economic boost. Burien Nissan, which has been closed since spring 2009, will reopen with a new owner next month.

“I hope before mid-August,” Ken Phillips, president of Tacoma-based Car Pros Automotive Group, told the B-Town Blog on July 26.

The dealership will offer a full line of new Nissan models, exclusively, and will also sell used cars and have parts and service departments.

“We’re working very hard to try to get this done,” Phillips said. “We’re excited to get in. This is our home. We’re happy to be here.”

Car Pros wanted to assume ownership last year, but was unable to proceed because of unresolved issues beyond its control with the dealership property on 1st Ave. S. just south of S. 160th St.

After those issues were resolved, Car Pros was contacted by Nissan “about six weeks to two months ago,” Phillips said. “They were about ready to do something here and wanted to know, were we still interested? And we told them, of course we are.”

For Phillips, taking ownership of Burien Nissan is something of a homecoming. “My kids grew up here,” he said. “We had the same house in Normandy Park for 30 years. Both my kids graduated from Mt. Rainier High School. And I had my cancer surgery at Highline Medical Center. (He is now cancer free.) This is like home for us.”

Car Pros owns several Puget Sound-area auto dealerships and another in Carson, Calif., selling Hundai, Kia, Suzuki, Chrysler and Jeep models.

BTB Advertiser Burien Chevrolet is holding a “No Cost Road Trip Inspection Clinic,” which includes an old fashioned Pancake Breakfast, on Saturday, May 1st from 8am – 2:30pm at their Burien location.

This clinic and inspection is FREE, but there is a limit of 120 inspections that can be performed; interested parties are encouraged to call their Service Department Monday-Friday between 7am – 6pm or Saturdays from 8am – 3pm at (206) 243-5800 to reserve a time, being that no inspection can be done without a reservation.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Burien Chevrolet’s “No Cost Road Trip Inspection Clinic.”

WHEN: Saturday, May 1st from 8am – 2:30pm.

WHERE: Burien Chevrolet, 14400 First Ave South (206-243-5800).

INFO: From a postcard:

“It’s road trip time. Is your vehicle ready? Put car check at the top of your pre-vacation check list!

As we head into the spring and summer months most of us will be driving more to go visiting or for vacations. We at Burien Chevrolet would like to invite you to a No Cost Inspection Clinic so you may have piece of mind during your travels.

This clinic and inspection is at no charge to you nor ar you obligated to have any recommended repairs performed. Estimated costs of recommended repairs will be furnished upon request.

There is a limit of 120 inspections that can be performed, so please call our Service Dept. Monday-Fridya 7am-6pm, or Saturday 8am-3pm @ 206-243-5800 to reserve your time, being that no inspection can be done without a reservation.

• FREE oil change certificate gibbon out (1 per family) with registration and attendance
• FRE Car Wash the day of the event (May 1st)
• Great door & raffle prizes given away
• Tips to maximize the dependability and safety features ot your vehicle
• Fuel-saving tips to go the extra mile for less!
• Enjoy a Pancake Breakfast & Tully’s Coffee!”

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” story, Ad and/or Event Listing like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by over 51,000 interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

BTB Advertiser Burien Toyota wants our Readers to know that they’re holding a “New Owner Clinic” on Thursday, March 18th beginning at 7pm at their location at 15025 1st Avenue South.

This event will also serve as a fundraiser for the Highline Area Food Bank, so if you can, you are invited to bring a non-perishable food donation (although this is not required).

There will also be some giveaways, including:

• Free oil change certificate just for attending
• Free car wash the night of the event
• Raffle drawing for prizes

Here are the details:

WHAT: “New Owner Clinic” at Burien Toyota

WHEN: Thursday, March 18th at 7pm

WHERE: Burien Toyota, located at 15025 First Ave South.

RSVP: Please RSVP to Sharon Daniels at 206.243.0700

INFO: More info available here; from a flier:

Toyota owners are welcome to share in the evening with Burien Toyota Seattle representatives & service advisers.

Product demonstartions, food & entertainment will make for a fun and informative evening.

Welcome back BTB Advertiser Burien Honda, which is having a birthday party and inviting everyone to come on in to check out the special green tag savings hanging from the rear view mirrors of all their cars.

They’ve been around Burien for 47 years and counting. In 1963, owner Jack Enderson opened a Honda Cycle dealership on SW 153rd and First Ave South, where “Mr. Auto” used to be (now Horizon Pets). He eventually added Triumph, BSA and Harley bikes to his inventory. In 1972, they needed more room and moved to their current location at 15026 First Avenue South.

This original 1970 N600 Honda has just 628 miles on it; its MSRP new was just $1,995!

In addition to an international reputation for its high mileage, Honda is leading the automotive industry in the Green and Hybrid Movement in automotive efficiencies. “Green” cars include the FIT Hatchback, Civic Sedan and “Hybrids” include Civic, Insight and Accord. They also have all of Honda’s conventional models. On the horizon is the FCX Clarity – a hydrogen and electric car available right now in California – and the CRV Diesel SUV sold in Europe and Japan.

Right now you can enjoy great 47 Anniversary savings on all Honda’s in stock! So stop on by and start enjoying your new Honda today.

Here’s a flashback pic of Burien Honda, circa 1972 – they’ve come a long way!:

by Ralph Nichols

After more than two months of anticipation, of driving past Burien Nissan at Five Corners and looking for new cars on display there once again, the news this week is disappointing.

Burien Nissan will not reopen after all – at least not anytime soon. The return of the auto dealership with a new owner – Car Pros – had been expected earlier to take place in mid-September.

“We were excited” about reopening Burien Nissan, Ken Phillips, president of Car Pros, told The B-Town Blog recently. “We had everything in line. Our financing package was all done. But the sellers couldn’t provide quick title to the property and we couldn’t close in time.”

He said the problem involved only closing the proposed sale and “had absolutely nothing to do with the national economy.

“If circumstances change, we would be available to relook at the whole process,” Phillips added. “We lived for 30 years in Normandy Park. All our friends are right there. That’s our home. We know a lot of people there.”

The previous dealership owner, Rainier Automotive Group, saw the entire inventory reclaimed by Nissan in a 24-hour period in March after losing its financing. The business closed its doors less than two months later, reportedly when new financing couldn’t be arranged.

Car Pros owns Kia and Suzuki dealerships in Tacoma and a Hyundai dealership in Seattle, and dealerships in Carson, Calif. Phillips said they had planned to sell Nissan models exclusively at Burien Nissan.

by Ralph Nichols

The return of Burien Nissan at 16042 First Avenue South, which closed for business in May, is anticipated in mid-September.

“We understand it’s going to be a Nissan agency, just like it was before,” Dick Loman, economic development manager for the City of Burien, said Wednesday (Sept. 2nd). “We don’t know when they will open, but anticipate it will be soon. We probably will know more by the end of the long weekend.”

Other sources indicated that the dealership will open its doors again in mid-month.

A job ad posted August 31 on Craigslist (see our previous breaking coverage here) solicited applications for all positions at Nissan dealerships “gearing up for mid-September opening.” The ad described the owner of these dealerships as “an award winning Puget Sound Automotive Dealer Group.” Applications could be emailed to Car Pros, and a job posting on the “CarProsJobs.com” website lists Burien as one of the locations hiring.

Car Pros owns Kia and Suzuki dealerships in Tacoma and a Hyundai dealership in Seattle, along with a dealership in Carson, CA. Bradley Wolf was listed in the ad as a Tacoma contact for Car Pros. Attempts by B-Town Blog to contact Wolf on Wednesday were not successful.

Weeds are growing like weeds at the empty Burien Nissan lot, which may be re-opening under new ownership soon.

Burien Nissan, which previously was owned by Rainier Automotive Group, lost its “flooring” (aka financing) and saw the entire inventory reclaimed by Nissan in a 24-hour period in March. The business closed its doors less than two months later, reportedly when new financing couldn’t be arranged.

Loman, however, said his office doesn’t know the “relationship between Car Pros and Nissan, if there is any.” But, he added, Burien Nissan seems to be preparing to interview and hire staff, and “that’s very good news for us, obviously.”

“It will be good to have another new car dealer in town selling automobiles. Not only will it create jobs that we lost (when Nissan closed in March) but sales tax income will be coming back to the city again. So we’re very pleased at what we hear.”

Loman noted the site – which had a $5 million remodel not long before the closure – is already set up for an automotive dealership, signage already is in place, and it’s unlikely that the dealership will need any new permits from the city.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• BREAKING: Might Burien Nissan Be Re-Opening Soon?
• 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

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...]

They’ve been around Burien for 45 years and counting. In 1963, owner Jack Enderson opened a Honda Cycle dealership on SW 153rd and First Ave South, where “Mr. Auto” used to be (now Horizon Pets). He eventually added Triumph, BSA and Harley bikes to his inventory. In 1972, they needed more room and moved to their current location at 15026 First Avenue South.

This original 1970 N600 Honda has just 628 miles on it; its MSRP new was just $1,995!

Burien Honda was the first Honda Dealership in the Northwest and the 22nd dealer in the country. General Manager Mark Minium is proud to show off their 1970 N600 Honda that has 628 actual miles on it. This particular model boasts the ‘complete package,’ which includes a radio and heater and cost $1,995; without the ‘package’ it cost $1,795.

Since this time, we’ve seen many changes in Honda Automobiles. In addition to an international reputation for its high mileage, Honda is leading the automotive industry in the Green and Hybrid Movement in automotive efficiencies. “Green” cars include the FIT Hatchback, Civic Sedan and “Hybrids” include Civic, Insight and Accord. They also have all of Honda’s conventional models. On the horizon is the FCX Clarity – a hydrogen and electric car available right now in California – and the CRV Diesel SUV sold in Europe and Japan.
Twelve years ago, Burien Honda opened a body shop, making it the only full service Honda dealer in the Greater Seattle area. They work on any make or model of cars and deal with most insurance companies on repairs. Plus you’ll get a loaner when they work on your vehicle. And one great thing to know is that you’ll get a complimentary hand car wash when you come in for anything in their shop, including an express oil change!

Burien Honda in 1972.

Burien Honda’s current building, which includes a Body Shop.

As with many of our Burien Car Dealers, GM Mark Minium has been involved in the development of our community from sitting on economic boards to the planning and development of the Town Square, to First Avenue renovation and supporting of the arts in Burien. He also was recruited to be an auctioneer at Mick Kelly’s many successful fundraisers (including the fundraiser we co-sponsored for the fire victims which raised over $10,500!).

What’s next for Burien Honda?

“We need a bigger footprint” says Mark – this means more space. And: “we have high hopes for Burien as Town Square evolves.”

Plus right now they’ve got the best selection and lowest interest rates in three years.

So, click on Burien Honda’s Ad in the right sidebar, check out their latest models and low rates, and tell ‘em the B-Town Blog sent you!

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