THE SHOALS – The Shoals Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting at Thornton Motors on Florence Boulevard. Chamber Ambassadors were there to present the chamber membership certificate and contact information booklet to third-generation car retailer, Blair Thornton.
Here’s what Thornton Motors has to say about itself:
“Thornton Motors may be new, but Blair Thornton isn’t a stranger to the car
business. Born and raised in Florence, he is third generation of 50 years in the
automobile industry. He started cleaning cars at the age of 14 for his late
grandfather Jimmy Thornton and his father Greg Thornton. They were very
instrumental in instilling the hard work ethic and knowledge of the car business
that has brought him to where he is today. Blair wanted to go back to his grandfather’s
roots. His grandfather Jimmy Thornton returned from the war with a
dream to start a used car lot. It was located on College Street and the rest is
history.
In May of 2011 Blair stepped out of his comfort zone and decided to take a
leap of faith. The result…”Thornton Motors”. He took that knowledge and realization
that there is an increasing need for an economical-good used car. He went
into this venture with the attitude…I will not put a vehicle on my lot that I
wouldn’t put a family member in. He is very conscious of every attribute a potential
used car has to offer. Blair wants a happy, satisfied customer and a customer
who wouldn’t think twice about returning to “Thornton Motors”, telling of
their good experience.
Blair realized from his prior years in a new car dealership, “Thornton Chrysler,
Dodge , Jeep”, that maintenance service is equally as important to a
car owner. He wanted to create a car lot that not only sold you the car but also
gave you the extended option of maintaining the service on the car as well.
Thornton Motors has just that…they are a full service shop. They can do it all
with the latest state-of -the art service equipment ranging from regular maintenance
, oil changes, to front end alignment. Blair has hired dealership certified
technicians that offer new car dealership quality but….at a much lower cost to
the customer. He knows what a busy world we live in today and the importance
of convenience.
Blair kept all of this in mind when hiring the perfect team for “Thornton Motors”
: John Lee, Gene Woods, Shawn Willett, Marty Hargett and Joe Carroll.
He credits his success to his outstanding team. Bottom line….Thornton Motors
treats people like they would want to be treated. Blair has no doubt…
his grandfather would be proud of “Thornton Motors”.
Photos supplied by Chamber.
