40 YEARS OF MEMORIES
Byrd's Auto Sales in Marion to close after decades in business
Gary and Lanetta Byrd opened Byrd's Auto Sales in 1986.
This full-page advertisement for Byrd's Auto Sales from the late 2000s is for both the Marion and Morganton locations.
Gary and Lanetta Byrd are planning to retire and close Byrd's Auto Sales once the last vehicles are sold.
For 40 years, Byrd's Auto Sales has sold pre-owned automobiles.
Now, after four decades of doing business in Marion, Morganton and Hickory, the owners of Byrd's Auto Sales have decided it is time to retire.
In April, owners Gary and Lanetta Byrd announced the decision.
"After much thought and prayer, we have made the difficult decision to close Byrd's Auto Sales as we step into retirement," reads the statement. "A passion that started from humble beginnings over 40 years ago grew into something far more special than we ever imagined. Gary's journey began by detailing cars at his home and slowly buying vehicles to sell, and over time that hard work and dedication turned into selling cars by the handful and eventually building Byrd's Auto Sales into the trusted dealership so many people came to know.
"This decision was not an easy one. This business has been a huge part of our lives, and the relationships and friendships we've built over the years mean more to us than words can truly express. However, the time has come for us to slow down, take some time to enjoy the things and places we like, and begin a new chapter."
Gary and Lanetta Byrd said they have gratitude for 40 years of customer support.
Their story goes back to 1986, when the couple was ready for an adventure. By day, Gary worked a steady job at Baxter Healthcare, but his true passion came alive after hours. He had a love for cars and spent his spare time meticulously detailing vehicles for franchise dealers, the Byrds said.
"You love cars so much," Lanetta said to her husband, "why don't you get your dealer's license and sell cars?"
At first, Gary hesitated. "I don't know anything about running a dealership," he said. Lanetta told him, "You could learn. Everyone has to start somewhere."
Gary got his dealer's license. The couple pooled their resources to buy the first vehicles to build inventory.
The new business started at their home. Their driveway became the showroom, and their kitchen table became the closing desk. The Byrds said every car or truck they bought was a risk and every one they sold was a victory. They said that word of mouth about the new auto dealership began to spread, and soon the driveway was not big enough to hold all the cars.
"We were young," the Byrds said in a statement. "We loved working hard and had no fear. That was the fuel behind everything we built. We rented property in the city of Marion and later bought property in town as we grew."
A couple of years after they started, the couple moved the business to 1480 N. Main St. in Marion, where it has remained ever since for 38 years.
The Byrds also decided to try the restaurant business. In 1990, they built Countryside Bar-B-Que.
Running a dealership by day and managing a busy restaurant was relentless work. They washed cars, talked to dealers, smoked pork and greeted customers.
"Instead of overwhelming, it was the ultimate adventure," the Byrds said.
As the years went by, they expanded Byrd's Auto Sales Inc. to Hickory and Morganton.
The Hickory location opened on Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard in 1989. It operated there for a couple of years. The Morganton location opened on Burkemont Avenue across from Western Piedmont Community College. It operated from 2007 to 2009, according to Lanetta Byrd.
Simultaneously, Countryside Bar-B-Que grew as well.
In 2006, Gary and Lanetta Byrd sold Countryside Bar-B-Que to Rob Noyes and David Ditt, according to the Byrds.
"Passing the torch of Countryside Bar-B-Que to them allowed the restaurant to keep growing under fresh leadership while preserving the exact same friendly, welcoming environment we started in the early days," the Byrds said in their statement.
Looking back across the last 40 years, the Byrds said the measure of their success is found in the people.
"We have truly been blessed, and we have had a wonderful time doing what we love," the Byrds said in a statement. "The ultimate reward of this 40-year journey has been the opportunity to meet so many incredible people and build a lifetime of cherished, lasting friendships."
The couple said they attribute their lives and success to God, their employees at Countryside Bar-B-Que and Byrd's Auto Sales, and their many customers for their support.
"Without all these great people, we simply would not have had a business," the Byrds said. "To every single one of them, we are extremely grateful."
"We've had some good people," Gary said.
He has proudly worked to 79 years old, pouring his heart into the lot every single day.
"When you do what you love, it really isn't work," the Byrds said. "But now, we are finally ready for our next big adventure. It's time to pass the final keys along. Though Gary likes to say he will probably be hiding in the trunk of the very last car that goes out."
Since the April announcement, the business has steadily sold off its remaining inventory of cars and trucks. As of the week of June 29, there were four vehicles left in the lot. At its peak, Byrd's Auto Sales had as many as 100 vehicles for sale, Gary said.
When those four vehicles are sold, Byrd's Auto Sales will close. Gary and Lanetta said they will probably sell their property at 1480 N. Main St.
"Thank you, western North Carolina, for the last 40 years of unforgettable memories," the Byrds said.
