Honda dealership slated for Wesley Chapel
The lot will be built on 22 acres between Interstate 75 and Gateway Boulevard, in close proximity to the future lots of other car vendors.
By JAMES THORNER
Published December 4, 2004
WESLEY CHAPEL - A Honda dealership has dibs on the southwest corner of Interstate 75 and State Road 54 for what will be one of a string of new car lots opening next year in Wesley Chapel.
Honda of Wesley Chapel, specializing in cars and light trucks, will operate from a portion of a 22-acre parcel between I-75 and Gateway Boulevard, part of Saddlebrook Corporate Center.
Opening date is "on or after March 1," according to the dealership's application. Its arrival will roughly coincide with those of Toyota, Hyundai, Mazda and Nissan, dealerships that have also lined up lots on SR 54.
The out-of-state franchise holders are Tony March, a Mitsubishi dealer in Hartford, Conn., and Ernest Hodge, a businessman from Morrow, Ga. The pair also sells cars in Daytona.
Reached on his cell phone Friday, March, immersed in a business meeting, wouldn't comment on the Honda deal.
Owing to its growth prospects as a hot Tampa bedroom community, Wesley Chapel is the next big thing in car sales. Though the SR 54 and I-75 interchange is luring most of the dealerships, it doesn't have a monopoly.
Ferman Automotive will open a Pontiac, Buick, GMC dealership on 12 acres south of SR 54 in Land O'Lakes, fronting the Oak Grove neighborhood. Buddy Foster Chevrolet bought a lot northeast of I-75 and State Road 56.
Two automakers got a jump on the rest in Wesley Chapel. Century Kia and Heritage Ford operate side by side on SR 54 east of I-75.
Still unaccounted for, but likely to arrive in the next couple of years, are dealers selling Chrysler and Dodge cars as well as smaller brands such as Volkswagen, Mitsubishi and Isuzu.
James Thorner covers growth and development in Pasco County. He can be reached at 813 909-4613 or toll-free 1-800-333-7505, ext. 4613. His e-mail address is thorner@sptimes.com