MOUNT VERNON – DeCosky GM Center will change ownership on Dec. 10, sales manager Michael DeCosky confirmed Tuesday. The dealership, located at 510 Harcourt Road in Mount Vernon, has been owned by John DeCosky for 34 years.

Michael, son of John, said his father’s age was the driving factor in wanting to sell the business. He said his father plans on retiring after the business officially changes hands.

“You know, my dad is 69 years old. It was a great run; I mean, the whole thing, he enjoyed. But it was just time,” Michael DeCosky said. “Everybody retires at some point. It was time.”

DeCosky could not say who purchased the dealership, although he said they are willing to retain all current employees if they wish to stay. He said the new owners plan to increase vehicle inventory while keeping the rest of the dealership’s services, including the body shop and service department.

DeCosky could not confirm how much the dealership was sold for.

The dealership sells new Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac vehicles, as well as an extensive list of used automobiles. There are currently 105 new and 62 used vehicles listed for sale on the dealership’s website.

DeCosky said the new owners have “five or six” other dealerships in Ohio, and he praised their customer-friendly approach.

“They’re a great group,” DeCosky said. “They’re going to put money into the community. They’ve got five or six other stores that do really well, really high CSI (Customer Satisfaction Index). They’re very customer-oriented and they’re going to spend some money to make it go.

“So I think it’s going to be a really good thing for the store, and I think it’s going to be a really good thing for the employees that work at the store. I think it’s going to be a nice change.”

DeCosky estimated that 38-48 people work at the dealership, and some have worked there for over 20 years. The new dealership will be called “Mount Vernon Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac,” he said.

John DeCosky began selling cars in Mount Vernon in 1984, when he moved here from Medina. He began downtown, where he bought a Pontiac Buick dealership. He’s been a staple in the local auto industry ever since, as he’s moved to different locations but never left Mount Vernon.

His current dealership has been located on Harcourt Road since 1990. It has always been a family business, Michael DeCosky said, as his brother, sister and mother have all worked there in some way or another over the years.

“You know, everything’s been great,” said DeCosky, who has worked at the dealership for 22 years. “I’ve worked at it for almost my whole life, my brothers worked in it a lot, even my sister and my mom. So it’s kind of been our lives since I can remember. It’s always been that kind of family-oriented dealership.”

DeCosky said the new owners plan to continue a tradition his father started, which is giving back to the community. John has consistently poured money into local youth sports, entertainment and various community causes, Michael said.

“He’s just enjoyed giving back to the community,” Michael said of his father. “And I think these guys will continue to do so.”

DeCosky said his father had been pondering retirement “for a few years” and that when the opportunity arose, he took it. Michael feels confident that the new owners will continue to maintain the relationship that the dealership has established with the Mount Vernon community over the past three-and-a-half decades.

Michael said the dealership’s sale has been bittersweet for the family, which has built their lives around the business.

“It’s been a great run, so you’re a little nostalgic. There’s happiness because a family business is tough, but it’s been a lot of fun, too. So mixed emotions I suppose, but mostly good emotions,” DeCosky said.

“I think the dealership, which we still care about, I think it’s in good hands and our employees are in good hands. So that’s all that really matters. And like I said, my dad worked every day for his whole life, so it’s good that my mom and dad can kind of retire. Everybody needs to retire at some point.”

Speaking for his family, Michael DeCosky thanked the community for its continual support over the years.

“Mostly, we’re going to miss the customers,” DeCosky said. “I mean, this dealership, it’s been great. We’ve had a great, loyal group of customers for 34 years. And they’ve been awesome.

“We just feel appreciative of all our customers and the relationships, because most of them are customers and we’re their friends. After this long, I would say 90 percent of my friends are customers I met through selling them a car, and now we play golf together. (We’re) just appreciative to all our patrons and the customers and the community that has supported us for 34 years.”

DeCosky expects more information on the new owners to become public on Dec. 10, next Monday, when they take over the dealership.