Frei Chevrolet to close doors
Trending
MARQUETTE -- A longtime Marquette Township car dealership soon will close.
An employee at Frei Chevrolet, located at 2653 U.S. 41 West, confirmed in a Wednesday phone call that the business was closing, but declined to provide details.
Its Facebook page noted Frei Chevrolet has served the Marquette area for over 90 years.
The company's website, www.freichevy.com, indicated Frei was involved in vehicle sales as well as service, parts and tires, and detailing.
James Grundstrom is president.
Posted on social media on Wednesday was an email dated that day from the company to its customers, which served as the official announcement of Frei Chevrolet's closing.
The company said in the letter it's selling the land and building while beginning the process of closing the dealership.
A number of factors -- both personal and professional -- led to the decision, the letter read.
"Running a family-owned single nameplate dealership outside of the major market has become very challenging," it said. "The costs of operations require a portfolio approach of brands in order to succeed even in community-based markets like our beloved Marquette.
"The growth and prosperity of our community has attracted automotive groups to our market who have far greater ability to leverage these escalating industry costs.
"Between now and the time we close, we will continue to provide our customers with quality Chevrolet products and authorized parts and service.
"We are grateful to our employees, our customers, our business parters and our community for the opportunity to be your Chevrolet home. Thank you one and all."
The letter was signed the "Frei Chevrolet Family."
No specific closure date was given.
The company declined to comment on the closure beyond the explanation given in the email.
Christie Bleck can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.