AllStar Car & Truck Sales Consolidates Dealership

After 10 years at 2920 Alt. U.S. 27 South, local car dealers Debbie Graves and Scott Albritton are consolidating AllStar Car & Truck Sales into the dealership's second location at 2671 U.S. 27 S., just north of Wendy's.

The move comes as a result of Florida Hospital's purchase of the land on which the first dealership was located.

"From a business perspective, it was a difficult decision to make," said Graves. "But not every decision should be about business. Some should be about doing what's good for the community - doing something that can benefit everyone for years to come."

Graves and her husband, Bob, opened the dealership on Alt. U.S. 27 South in 1998. Then, it was the first-ever Thrifty Car Sales dealership, part of a national franchise offering by Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group which the Graves helped to create.

Local car dealer, Scott Albritton, joined Debbie as co-owner in 2000, and the two rebranded the dealership as AllStar in 2004. They opened the second AllStar location in 2005.

Graves and Albritton were approached by Florida Hospital executives about selling the property on Alt. 27 in late 2006. The hospital operates an imaging center just south of the dealership and, according to hospital executives at the time, will use the land to expand the hospital's facilities and related services to better meet the needs of Highlands County residents.

"It has truly been a privilege to serve the past auto needs of our customers from this location, and we'll continue to do so from our location on the main highway," said Albritton.

In preparation for the move, AllStar contracted with Ron Handley of Homes by Handley to renovate the new location, upgrading the lot to accommodate more than $1 million in late model, low mileage vehicles, and adding 2,500 square feet in customer service and office space.

The dealership's service department will remain at the old location temporarily, but will move soon to 2651 U.S. 27 S., justone building north of the remodeled lot and behind Alligator Antiques and Collectibles.

"The economy has dealt all of us a pretty tough hand, so when it comes to transportation, quality used vehicles make more sense than ever," said Albritton. "In renovating the new location, Debbie and I wanted to be sure we had the space and facility to inventory the widest range and largest selection of quality used vehicles possible."

The dealership is planning an official grand opening in February.

"We have many happy memories at the first location, but are also happy to have been given the opportunity to make a difference for our community by selling the property to Florida Hospital," Graves said. "We appreciate the continued patronage of our customers during this transition."