Lodi Cherokee Lane

Geweke Ford-Mercury-Toyota

Owner Larry Geweke said the closure, announced Tuesday, is forced by the difficult economy. "This store means a lot to my family and the community, and we searched hard for a solution," he said. "Unfortunately, we couldn't find one. Today is the hardest day in my professional life." Geweke met with employees Tuesday morning to tell them of the closure. Their jobs will be terminated July 31. Service and warranty work will be taken over by Big Valley Ford in Stockton. Geweke's Toyota dealership and collision repair center in Lodi will remain open. Geweke will continue to operate a Ford dealership in Yuba City and a Kia dealership in Marysville.

Earlier, Geweke closed a Dodge-Chrysler dealership and an RV business in Lodi. Closing the Ford dealership, where he washed cars as a teen, is especially painful, Geweke said. "We've had over 40 years of history with this store in Lodi. We've had so many wonderful customers and employees during those years," Geweke said. "I just want to thank them all."

Geweke said the company vigorously pursued consolidation of dealerships — and the foreclosure crisis in the San Joaquin Valley worsened the situation. "We just couldn't find a way to continue to operate a Ford store in Lodi," he said. Geweke's nonprofit programs, including Pink October events and Youth Service Awards, will continue and will be coordinated through the Toyota dealership, he said.

The Ford dealership was the first established in 1966 by Daryl Geweke, who went on to own multiple car dealerships, real estate holdings and hotels. It was previously known as Green Ford Sales and dated back to about 1916, Daryl Geweke said.

The dealership was initially located on Sacramento Street, in the space on now occupied by the U.S. Post Office parking lot. In 1972, the business moved to its current location on Cherokee Lane at Poplar Street.

About two years ago, Daryl Geweke sold his car dealership interests to Larry Geweke, one of his sons. Daryl Geweke continues to own and operate substantial real estate holdings.

Tuesday, the elder Geweke said that while he no longer owns the dealership, he is deeply saddened by the closure. "Well, I am heartbroken by this. There are some employees who have been with there almost since the store opened in 1966. The business has been faithfully supported by the Lodi community.

It's just a very sad day," she said. Daryl Geweke owns the Cherokee Lane property on which the dealership sits, but it's unclear at this point what will happen to the parcel.