Maurice Schwartz & Sons Car and Truck Dealership Celebrates Its 90th Anniversary
Ninety years ago, Maurice Schwartz started his automotive business. It's the only charter member of the Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce left today. They are a secure part of the community that has grown up around them.
Shrewsbury, NJ, March 07, 2009 --(PR.com)-- It was 90 years ago when the grandfather of the current owners, Jon and Jim Schwartz, created the dealership that would bear his name for generations to come. Maurice Schwartz was starting his life after leaving the Army cavalry. He believed the horseless carriage was the future and wanted to be part of it. Did he imagine that his empire would come to be one of the most recognized dealerships in the state? The franchises they have now, Chrysler, Mazda, Hino, and Fuso trucks, have put their trust in Schwartz & Sons for more than 20 years, with Chrysler going all the way back to 1930. They have weathered the good times and the bad, and done it with a smile.
They have a long history in this area
Starting in 1919, Maurice Schwartz had a dealership on Maple Avenue in Red Bank (which was still a dirt road at the time). The now 100-year-old gold horse in their showroom showed up not too long after, to promote the Willys Whippet. The slogan was “Now you don’t have to Whippet any more.” Imagine getting a fully equipped car for less than $1,000.
In 1942, Maurice petitioned General Omar Bradley to serve in the Army again in World War II. (You can see their correspondence on the wall in the showroom.) He was given the post of Captain in the Army Motor Transport Corps serving in Burma.
When he returned, he brought his sons, Arnold and Edward, into the business. They took over when Maurice passed away and moved the dealership to the place on Front Street where it stayed for more than 50 years.
The 70’s saw the arrival of the third generation when Arnold’s sons Jim and Jon joined. In response to customers’ demand for Japanese cars, the Mazda franchise arrived at this time as well.
As Uncle Ed said, “The Service Department makes the business.”
Schwartz & Sons strives to cater to the needs of the individual and instill trust in their products and services. It’s the relationships with the customers, that often bridge generations, that have kept them in business when other stores have had to shut their doors.
The last decade of the 20th century saw them grow so much that they moved to a larger, state-of-the-art building at 585 Shrewsbury Avenue in Shrewsbury, while retaining the personal, small business feel.
The Schwartzes also believe that being a beacon in the community is important; that’s why they’ve spent so much time, money, and effort supporting causes they believe in. Three generations have been presidents of the Red Bank Rotary Club and the Monmouth County Automobile Dealers Association. Jon has a personal investment in actively helping the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, as his son was diagnosed when he was young.
For more than ten years, Schwartz & Sons has been the last remaining charter member of the Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce. You can come see the plaque that was presented to the dealership as the Chamber celebrated their 80th anniversary last year. It’s something they’re very proud of.
Something else they’ll tell you about given the chance is the TV advertisements they’ve become known for. Not many business owners choose to be seen in their underwear, but Jim and Jon have done it repeatedly. They write all their own ads, and by the miracle of the internet, you can see them whenever you want on their website, www.buy-auto.com. Just click on the “Commercials” link.
In the showroom, you’ll always find the latest models, and the knowledgeable salespeople will help you find the perfect car for you, be it a Chrysler or a Mazda. If you need a medium-duty truck, they’ve been selling and servicing them for so long, that they can anticipate and satisfy your needs.
Even in uncertain times, you can always find either Jim or Jon in the building, and they will greet you with a smile. They are thankful for their customers and go out of the way to make you feel welcome.
Though it’s not painted on the side of the building as it was in Red Bank, they still say, “May the Schwartz be with You.”
###
They have a long history in this area
Starting in 1919, Maurice Schwartz had a dealership on Maple Avenue in Red Bank (which was still a dirt road at the time). The now 100-year-old gold horse in their showroom showed up not too long after, to promote the Willys Whippet. The slogan was “Now you don’t have to Whippet any more.” Imagine getting a fully equipped car for less than $1,000.
In 1942, Maurice petitioned General Omar Bradley to serve in the Army again in World War II. (You can see their correspondence on the wall in the showroom.) He was given the post of Captain in the Army Motor Transport Corps serving in Burma.
When he returned, he brought his sons, Arnold and Edward, into the business. They took over when Maurice passed away and moved the dealership to the place on Front Street where it stayed for more than 50 years.
The 70’s saw the arrival of the third generation when Arnold’s sons Jim and Jon joined. In response to customers’ demand for Japanese cars, the Mazda franchise arrived at this time as well.
As Uncle Ed said, “The Service Department makes the business.”
Schwartz & Sons strives to cater to the needs of the individual and instill trust in their products and services. It’s the relationships with the customers, that often bridge generations, that have kept them in business when other stores have had to shut their doors.
The last decade of the 20th century saw them grow so much that they moved to a larger, state-of-the-art building at 585 Shrewsbury Avenue in Shrewsbury, while retaining the personal, small business feel.
The Schwartzes also believe that being a beacon in the community is important; that’s why they’ve spent so much time, money, and effort supporting causes they believe in. Three generations have been presidents of the Red Bank Rotary Club and the Monmouth County Automobile Dealers Association. Jon has a personal investment in actively helping the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, as his son was diagnosed when he was young.
For more than ten years, Schwartz & Sons has been the last remaining charter member of the Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce. You can come see the plaque that was presented to the dealership as the Chamber celebrated their 80th anniversary last year. It’s something they’re very proud of.
Something else they’ll tell you about given the chance is the TV advertisements they’ve become known for. Not many business owners choose to be seen in their underwear, but Jim and Jon have done it repeatedly. They write all their own ads, and by the miracle of the internet, you can see them whenever you want on their website, www.buy-auto.com. Just click on the “Commercials” link.
In the showroom, you’ll always find the latest models, and the knowledgeable salespeople will help you find the perfect car for you, be it a Chrysler or a Mazda. If you need a medium-duty truck, they’ve been selling and servicing them for so long, that they can anticipate and satisfy your needs.
Even in uncertain times, you can always find either Jim or Jon in the building, and they will greet you with a smile. They are thankful for their customers and go out of the way to make you feel welcome.
Though it’s not painted on the side of the building as it was in Red Bank, they still say, “May the Schwartz be with You.”
###
Contact
M. Schwartz & Sons, Inc.
Jon Schwartz
732-530-4100
buy-auto.com
Jon Schwartz
732-530-4100
buy-auto.com
Contact
Categories