Automotive retail magnate and part-time actor Mark Wahlberg has obtained another car dealership in Columbus (which may be renamed “Flavortown”), Ohio.
After having partnered with longtime friend and business associate Jay Feldman to scoop up Bobby Layman (now Mark Wahlberg) Chevrolet in 2018, the duo said they eventually hoped to expand their auto businesses. Feldman already owned a swath of dealerships in Michigan; the friends admitted they were eyeballing additional opportunities in the area.
They did not have to venture far. Wahlberg just purchased Haydocy Buick-GMC, which is right across the street from the Chevy showroom. The site has already been rebranded to include the Hollywood actor’s name and will immediately leverage his star power to reel in customers.
As with the Chevrolet dealership, the Buick-GMC storefront will incorporate displays that highlight Marky Mark’s involvement. While rapping about the benefits of buying product from General Motors seems a bridge too far, Wahlberg does occasionally make virtual appearances updating customers on what’s new in his life and — more importantly — on the lot.
It apparently worked well enough to warrant an expansion and give Wahlberg-branded dealerships a more well-rounded portfolio. According to Automotive News, Feldman mentioned the Buick-GMC store was of particular interest during a videoconference about a hospital donation held in April. They had already in been in discussions to buy the property but the pandemic delayed the deal.
“We love the Columbus market. It’s been amazing,” Feldman said. “When we bought the dealership almost two years ago, I had never really spent a lot of time in Columbus. But since we’ve been there, I’ve fallen in love with Columbus. It’s a great town.”
From Automotive News:
The latest transaction included an Airstream and RV dealership in Columbus, which has been renamed Mark Wahlberg Airstream & RV.
“Columbus has been so welcoming and it just made sense to grow our automotive platform here,” Wahlberg said in a statement. “The Haydocy family has been wonderful to work with during this transition and Jay and I are looking forward to doing big things here.”
Feldman, CEO of Feldman Automotive Group, with more than 10 locations in Michigan and Columbus, said two years ago that he and Wahlberg were looking for more dealership locations.
While it’s unknown whether or not Wahlberg will make an appearance to sign autographs in celebration of the new store’s opening, it is likely to continue the new tradition of offering models specially customized by the man himself. Gimmicky to be sure, but it’s not as though people don’t needlessly fawn over celebrity endorsements already. Mr. Wahlberg has at least proven himself a legitimate automotive enthusiast with a downright tasteful collection (which includes a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and a gently customized Toyota Sienna).
[Image: s_bukley/Shutterstock]
This man has come a long ways ~ no matter how you view his publicity he’s a sharp business man .
-Nate
Go big or go home in the auto retail biz.
The industry continues to consolidate, so the benefits of multi-point ownership must be substantial.
Asbury Group out of Atlanta has been buying stores here in Indiana including Hare and Estes.
Good for him, wish I could afford to buy a few!
Never heard of this guy. What is he supposed to be, like John Wayne or something?
Heh. It took a number of years for John Wayne to become John Wayne. Wahlberg has at least been in a few movies, so he’s better known than a social media “celebrity”, or even worse, an internet “influencer”.
They’re missing a huge opportunity if they don’t re-brand the dealerships as “Funky Bunch Motors.”
Dirk Digglers auto world. “Where the savings are huge!”
Lol! ::slaps forehead::
So he’s a big Hollywood name. He’s still schlepping Buicks. Nobody cares.
Tom Selleck is schlepping reverse mortgages to old people, if that gives you some context for “ooooo, big Hollywood name!!!”
The acting profession is all about gettin’ paid.
From hangin’ with Rick and TC, to talking about “three-legged stools”. What a come-down.
Boogie Nights Motors.
That name would certainly bring in the crowds.
Home of the Marky Mark-down!
“Howd these cars get like this!?”
I ate at an airport restaurant once called “Walburgers” – guess who owned it?
It was truly awful.
I always thought there was something great in that Buick dealership, just waiting to get out.
Too bad that Chevrolet dealership wasn’t a Chevrolet/Cadillac dealership or he’d now have a full GM portfolio.
The GM dealers that sold out to Wahlberg were smart to sell out when they can. Buick is not a good brand for future growth but with GMC at least they have something for the truck market and Chevrolet is not a great brand either but it does have some potential.
Ford needs to give us a RWD Lincoln Continental sedan, so Wahlberg can buy a Lincoln dealer, and offer a Marky Mark Edition.
I’ve always liked his movies and seems more or less a regular guy on interviews. I know he owned a Brabus S class at one time per his Top Gear interview.That counts for something.
He’s from Boston, and once posed with a fan who thought he was Matt Damon, also from Boston. She didn’t ask for an autograph, so he went along. It wasn’t until she showed friends her Matt Damon photo that she learned he was Mark, not Matt.