Junior and Mike Bishop joined Mark and Heather Lindeman to pass
on the family dealership in the hopes it will become a family
business once again.
”
We’re looking forward to working with Mark and helping out in
any way we can,
”
Mike Bishop said.
Junior and Mike Bishop joined Mark and Heather Lindeman to pass on the family dealership in the hopes it will become a family business once again.
“We’re looking forward to working with Mark and helping out in any way we can,” Mike Bishop said.
The San Benito County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Lindeman Chrysler Jeep Dodge on Wednesday and wished Mark and Heather Lindeman “many years of success here in San Benito County.”
Frances “Frenchie” Bishop started the dealership, primarily comprised of Dodge vehicles, in 1946. In the early 1960s, he gained control of Chrysler and Jeep. His four sons took over the business in 1980. The Bishops sold the business in 1995, and the Lindemans are the third owners since then. The most recent owner was Glen Hartzheim Sr.
“We are looking forward to (Mark Lindeman) bringing the dealership back to a family business,” Junior Bishop said. “We’ve been here so long and built so many relationships – they’re not just customers, they are friends. We’d like to be able to recommend our friends to come here.”
The Lindemans are thankful for the support the Bishops have given them.
“They’ve been very supportive all along. They’ve offered to do anything to help and support the business,” Mark Lindeman said. “There’s a clientele they feel comfortable bringing back to the store. I think (the Bishops) are happy to have someone like me to echo their traditions.”
Junior Bishop spent 42 years with the business and Mike Bishop spent 35. While they don’t have an active role in the dealership anymore, they are sort of “on call,” Mike Bishop said. This can mean anything, from delivering cars to helping with service, he said.
This is the Lindemans’ first dealership. Mark and Heather have worked in the auto industry, mostly in management and administrative positions at Daimler Chrysler and Chrysler Financial, living in cities across the nation.
The biggest challenge for the Lindemans is getting the word out that the business is family oriented. Mark Lindeman is on site almost every day and is open to anyone and everyone, he said.
The Lindemans officially gained ownership May 12. The dealership’s new signs, bearing the Lindeman name, should be up next week, Mark Lindeman said.
