McGee Toyota of Putnam is open!
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
The words “wide open” would apply — on many levels.
The long-anticipated McGee Toyota of Putnam opened its doors April 14.
The dealership moved from Dudley into its new modern, soaring building after months of site work, construction and all the finishing touches.
Everything is modern, expansive and every tiny detail that would add to the customer’s experience was thought out and achieved. For kids that might get antsy they even have a coloring book set for the kids.
The service entrances on the left side of the building on Rt. 44 in East Putnam are spacious entries to 20 service bays, according to General Manager Richard Geremia.
The doors open automatically and the customer drives in — appointments not necessarily needed. The car would pause on a piece of equipment embedded on the floor that would take a measure of the depth of the tire tread and check alignment and more. Other modern equipment would help the service staff recognize that the vehicle is already a customer. It's all for providing the best service experience.
The 20 service bays run the width of the back of the building and Geremia said they have 17 techs including three master techs. Next to that is an extensive parts department
“There shouldn’t be much wait at all for customers,” he said.
For their short waits customers settle into a massive lounge complete with a coffee bar plus, a two-story stone fireplace, a large TV and comfortable chairs and couches. Everywhere in the dealership — every table and space is wired with phone chargers.
The entire width of the front building is a showroom with 12 sales desks and a soaring brightly lighted ceiling and top to bottom windows. One small section of the front space is for car delivery in case it happens to be raining.
The service area and the showroom and the lounge are two stories tall.
Tucked behind the showroom are offices. There about 15 salespeople. That combined with the service department employees and others, about 60 people work there, he said.
Geremia said the goal is to sell 250 to 300 vehicles a month. He characterized the Toyota brand as exciting.
The McGee family picked East Putnam because of its proximity to three states and the visibility from a major highway, I-395. All together, it took about three years to bring the idea into reality.
Outside, he said they have about 150 vehicles, 50 percent new and 50 percent pre-owned.
Geremia said the whole focus is the customer experience. “If we can do that well, then everything else takes care of itself, falls into place.”
He added McGee Toyota of Putnam is looking forward to supporting local businesses, even down to buying the coffee in the coffee bar locally. Local businesses, he said, “support each other, grow together and become good neighbors.”
For additional photos, including photos of the building's progress from March 2024 through today, go to our FB page: Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger.
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McGee Toyota of Putnam General Manager Richard Geremia in the entry section of the service department. More photos on page 12. Expanded photo array Wed. night on our FB page: Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger. Linda Lemmon photo.
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Clockwise from above: The service lounge. The showroom. The fireplace. The vast service bays.
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