North Country Auto celebrates new location

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Grey skies and a light rain couldn’t dampen spirits at last Friday’s kickoff for a weekend celebration at North Country Auto on U.S. Route 1 when they celebrated their five-year customer appreciation day in Houlton, but at a new location.
    Manager John Harvell said the dealership has grown and prospered in town so they held the open house, serving up hot dogs, sodas and chips, to thank customers, introduce staff, discuss dealership services and their inventory of  some 70 vehicles.
Pioneer Times photo/Elna Seabrooks
RIBBON CUTTING — Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce members Ben Adams, Anne Callnan  and Kent Good joined the festivities and ribbon cutting at North Country Auto last week to show their support, agreeing that the new location was a good choice. Callnan said: “They have a lot of cars and a lot of visibility here on the North Road and it looks great.” Pictured from left are: Kim Belyea, office manager; Mike Folsom, salesman; Callnan; Adams; Good; Dan Cullen, salesman; John Harvell, manager holding daughter Jayden; Chad Wheeler, detailer; Randy Norsworthy, owner; Logan Quint, detailer; Heather Harvell, publicist holding son Joshua; John McGary, salesman; Tom Mastro, general manager; and Angela Norsworthy, former employee.
    Owner Randy Norsworthy said the main reason for the move from Bangor street was the north-south exposure and its high volume of traffic where people could check out the selection of vehicles. “We’re really excited to be in Houlton. It was our second location in the group of dealerships that we have and we’re here to stay in Houlton for a long time.”
    With savvy consumers on the lookout for a great deal, Norsworthy said as “one of the largest independent auto dealers in the state of Maine, we have three locations, nearly 200 vehicles and a great selection with a lot of great financing options from our credit-builders program to conventional financing.”
    “Aroostook County has always been a sport utility and truck market” added Norsworthy who said despite a slight softening in the market due to last year’s gasoline price spikes into record territory, “about 70 percent of our sales are still utilities and trucks. Aroostook County likes utilities and trucks and we offer a good selection.”