Jim Burke Automotive Group: Difference between revisions

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The '''Jim Burke Automotive Group''' was founded by [[Jim Burke]] in [[1945]] as a Nash dealership. Burke landed a Buick franchise in [[1952]] and began an expansion that was continued by his son, [[Jim Burke, Jr]], who took over the company in [[1976]].
[[Image:Jim Burke Nash postcard.jpg|right|thumb|375px|Postcard for Jim Burke Nash]]
[[File:Jim Burke Buick.jpg|right|thumb|375px|Charles Preston photo of Jim Burke Buick at night]]
The '''Jim Burke Automotive Group''' was founded by [[Jim Burke]] in [[1945]] as a Nash dealership located at 300 [[22nd Street South]]. He had previously owned a Ford dealership in Rochester, New York. The company was incorporated in [[1947]].


Currently the group is comprised of 13 dealerships in 5 locations and employs over 385 people. The group's headquarters are at 1301 [[5th Avenue North]].
Burke sold his 25,000-square foot Nash showroom to [[William Bailey]] when he landed a Buick franchise in [[1952]]. He built a new showroom north of downtown, beginning a series of expansions that was continued by his son, [[Jim Burke Jr]], who took over the company in [[1976]].
 
The downtown cluster of dealerships grew into what became known as the '''Jim Burke Downtown Auto Mall''' on lots owned by the company and leased from the [[Phoenix Building Company]]. By [[2007]] the group was comprised of 13 dealerships in 5 locations and employed over 385 people. The group's headquarters were at 1301 [[5th Avenue North]]. The CEO was [[Mark Livings]].
 
In [[2020]] a group of current and former employees filed a racial discrimination complaint against the dealership with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
 
In early [[2024]] Hallmark ACQ LLC of Franklin, Tennessee purchased the business for around $21 million, and also acquired all the Auto Mall parcels for $18.2 million. They rebranded the dealerships as the [[Hallmark Automotive Group]]. As part of the transition, the Genesis franchise was dropped, and Hallmark expected to move the Subaru dealership out of downtown. The group's 250 employees were all retained.


==Locations==
==Locations==
* Jim Burke Jaguar/Subaru/Isuzu/Saab - 2415 [[7th Avenue South]], [[Birmingham]]
* Main office and Jim Burke Chrysler / Jeep / Dodge / Ram, 1409 [[5th Avenue North]]
* Jim Burke Hyundai - 2505 [[Ensley Avenue]], [[Ensley]]
* Jim Burke Subaru, 1301 [[5th Avenue North]]
* Jim Burke Pontiac/Buick/GMC - 1301 [[5th Avenue North]], [[Birmingham]]
* Jim Burke Nissan, 1300 [[3rd Avenue North]]
* Jim Burke Nissan - 1300 [[3rd Avenue North]], [[Birmingham]]
* Jim Burke Hyundai / Genesis of Birmingham, 1424 [[5th Avenue North]]
* Jim Burke Chevrolet//Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge - 1409 [[5th Avenue North]], [[Birmingham]]
 
===Former locations===
* Jim Burke Pontiac/Buick/GMC, 1301 [[5th Avenue North]]
* Jim Burke Jaguar/Saab, 2415 [[7th Avenue South]]
* Jim Burke Jaguar/Subaru/Isuzu/Saab, 2415 [[7th Avenue South]]
* Jim Burke Chevrolet/Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge, 1409 [[5th Avenue North]]
* Jim Burke Buick
* [[Jim Burke Nash]], 300 [[22nd Street South]], [[Birmingham]] (1945-1952)
* Jim Burke Hyundai, 2505 [[Ensley Avenue]], [[Ensley]]


==References==
==References==
* "Jim Burke Automotive Group." (January 2007) Birmingham Then & Now Special Promotion. Birmingham Magazine. Vol. 47, No. 1, p. 141
* "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/JimBurke%20%2809-52%29.jpg Jim Burke sells Nash dealership, to open agency on Northside]" (September 1952) {{BN}} - via [[Birmingham Rewound]]
* "Jim Burke Automotive Group." (January 2007) Birmingham Then & Now Special Promotion. ''Birmingham'' magazine. Vol. 47, No. 1, p. 141
* Thornton, William (October 20, 2020) "Jim Burke Automotive Group employees say executive discriminated, used racial slurs." {{BN}}
* Stettheimer, Samuel (May 21, 2024) "Birmingham dealership sells for $18.2 million." {{BBJ}}
* Stettheimer, Samuel (May 30, 2024) "Details emerge in the massive Jim Burke property, business deal." {{BBJ}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.jimburke.com Jim Burke Automotive Group] website
* [http://www.jimburke.com Jim Burke Automotive Group] website


[[Category:Auto dealerships]]
[[Category: Former auto dealerships]]
[[Category:5th Avenue North|1301]]
[[Category: 22nd Street South]]
[[Category: 5th Avenue North]]
[[Category: 1945 establishments]]
[[Category: 2024 disestablishments]]

Latest revision as of 15:08, 31 May 2024

Postcard for Jim Burke Nash
Charles Preston photo of Jim Burke Buick at night

The Jim Burke Automotive Group was founded by Jim Burke in 1945 as a Nash dealership located at 300 22nd Street South. He had previously owned a Ford dealership in Rochester, New York. The company was incorporated in 1947.

Burke sold his 25,000-square foot Nash showroom to William Bailey when he landed a Buick franchise in 1952. He built a new showroom north of downtown, beginning a series of expansions that was continued by his son, Jim Burke Jr, who took over the company in 1976.

The downtown cluster of dealerships grew into what became known as the Jim Burke Downtown Auto Mall on lots owned by the company and leased from the Phoenix Building Company. By 2007 the group was comprised of 13 dealerships in 5 locations and employed over 385 people. The group's headquarters were at 1301 5th Avenue North. The CEO was Mark Livings.

In 2020 a group of current and former employees filed a racial discrimination complaint against the dealership with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

In early 2024 Hallmark ACQ LLC of Franklin, Tennessee purchased the business for around $21 million, and also acquired all the Auto Mall parcels for $18.2 million. They rebranded the dealerships as the Hallmark Automotive Group. As part of the transition, the Genesis franchise was dropped, and Hallmark expected to move the Subaru dealership out of downtown. The group's 250 employees were all retained.

Locations

Former locations

References

External links

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