Salmon Arm Honda owners will have to head to Vernon or Kamloops if they want their vehicles serviced by Honda technicians.
Monica Kriese was upset when she found this out last Thursday, Aug. 16, when she attempted to make an appointment only to be told the dealership, and its service department, was closing its doors.
"I called… to have one of my scheduled services, and she said we're not doing any service after 6 p.m. I said, 'I didn't want after six,' and she said we're not doing anymore service at all," explained Kriese. "So I said, 'OK, where do I get it done,' and she told me Vernon or Kamloops. She was upset, quite emotional while were were on the phone."
A call to the dealership Monday confirmed it is no longer open for business.
Honda's owner, Richard Antonenko, said Friday that he would be willing to talk about what was happening with the dealership later this week.
Antonenko took over the dealership at 760 Trans-Canada Highway NE in March 2011 from former owners Mike Vandermeer and Mark Schneider, who own/operate Jacobson Ford.
The dealership recently shut down its Powerhouse operation that sold bikes, ATVs and lawn equipment.
"My dad had a quad on consignment in the Powerhouse dealership, and two weeks ago they told him the Powerhouse end was closing," said Kriese. "And he asked them,'how's the cars,' and the staff at the time told him vehicle sales and everything were still fine, it was only Powerhouse that was closing. So, within the last two weeks things changed a lot."
Kriese says she had deliberately bought her Honda in Salmon Arm to support local business.
"I had bought by previous Honda in Vernon, so I said well, I want to try and shop local," said Kriese. "And how I'm going back to Vernon. Go figure."
There was an added incentive however: free oil, lube and filter changes for as long as she owned the car. Kriese has learned that this deal will not be honoured elsewhere, and will be speaking with Honda Canada to see what they will do.
What's most upsetting about the closure for Kriese, however, is seeing good people out of a job.
"I just feel bad for the staff," says Kriese. "I love the service department guys at the local Honda. I feel sad for them for being out of work."