August Business of the Month Chester Chrysler Center dates from wagon shop in 1872
Chester Chrysler Center, the oldest established family dealership in Randolph County, has been named the Chester Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month for August.
Chester Chrysler Center dates from 1872, when Henry Herschbach Sr. took over the wagon making shop. From his auspicious start many thousands of wagons, tractors, farm machinery units and automobiles have been sold in Chester and the surrounding area.
The wagon business evolved into the Herschbach Auto and Implement Company, the first automobile dealership in Chester. According to Tom Search, co-owner of Chester Chrysler, the first car to be sold was a 1906 International, bought by Butch Heine to be used in his taxi service. The vehicle cost $900. A photo of the vehicle and its passengers and salesperson has been on display for many years at the current dealership.
In 1934 the modern history of Chester Chrysler Center Inc., began when Ted Search Sr. and Dolph Were (brothers-in-law) bought the business from the Herschbachs and changed the name to Chester Motor & Implement Company. They began selling Chrysler and Plymouth automobiles, along with International Harvester farm machinery. Their business started in the Herschbach Building on Swanwick Street in
Chester (now Rowold Hardware), continuing there until 1949, when they moved into their current building on Route 3 North.
Ted Search Jr. joined the business as a partner in 1953 and upon the death of his father in 1971, organized the business into a corporation with him as president and his wife, Angela, as his personal secretary, The name was changed to Chester Chrysler-Plymouth Company. With the addition of a Dodge truck franchise and Jeep franchise over time, the name was changed once again to its current Chester Chrysler Center Inc., selling and servicing Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM products.
With the passing of Ted Search Jr. in 2010, two of his five sons, Tom and Tate Search, continued as third generation owners, overseeing the daily operations until the present. Tom came on board in 1979.
"I sure didn't know any better back then," he said. "But Chrysler was in big-time trouble. I guess in a way it prepared me for the ups and downs that have occurred since. But had it not been for Lee Iacocca, who knows?
"Remember the K-Car? But his real winner was the minivan in 1984. There never had been a market segment called 'minivan'. He created it. He was a straight shooter and the dealers loved him."
Tom said the business would never have lasted 86 years without the repeat, loyal customers and the employees, who are more like family.
"Kevin Rahlfs is our lead technician and has been with the company for 36 years. He is very thorough, very conscientious and very respectful of the concerns of the customers. He is passing on those traits to Blaise Lake, our youngest technician."
Tom mentioned an "incredibly special employee," Bill Pruneau, who was hired by Ted Search Sr. on June 17, 1957.
"He has been with us through thick and thin and without a doubt, there were many 'thin' times when Bill Pruneau carried us through," Tom said, calling Pruneau "one of the best wrench turners this area has ever known."
Co-owner Tate Seach said, "With this honor from the Chamber of Commerce, it is only fitting that we also pay tribute to Bill Pruneau. We offer our appreciation to him and encourage residents of the community to do the same. Stop by any morning, Tuesday through Friday, and congratulate him on a wonderful career that is still continuing!"