Paul Cole Motors ending 54-year run in Fostoria

FOSTORIA — When a business has been a family's focal point and source of pride and has continued to carry the founder's name, its closure will result in a particular feeling."It's called heartbreak," Sandy Cole-Cassidy said.Paul Cole Motors' last day of operation at 1621 N. Countyline St., in Fostoria, will be Wednesday. And as the remaining vehicles are being sold at low prices and an as-yet-unannounced auto dealership prepares to move in, the success and fond memories garnered through 54 years will intermingle with the sting of the business coming to a halt."This was the first place he came after (daughter Christy) was born," Cole-Cassidy said, referring to Paul Cole and his dealership.Cole died in 1993 at age 46 after years of dealing with the effects of Type 1 diabetes, which included becoming blind five days before his 1973 marriage to Sandy. "Because of spending so much time here throughout her life, it's been home to her as much as her home," Cole-Cassidy said. "It's very difficult for us to leave it. But, as with many difficult things we've had to face in life, when a door closes, another door is opened. We've prayed about this. It is the thing to do. And we will always love this place and our memories."Recent circumstances prompted the decision to exit the business, said Cole-Cassidy, who became the "dealer principal," as noted on the company website, after Cole's death."Given the facts of how the auto industry is changing and what COVID has done to our entire nation, it's just something we decided that while we would like to carry on, it's time to move on," she said. "But we want to thank the community, especially our loyal employees who have helped us through the years. It's been a great run."Christy Cole was just 10 years old when her father died. But her relationship with him led to her taking an interest in her dad's business and the auto industry in general. After growing up in such an environment — she recalls washing cars at the dealership at a very young age — she eventually became general manager of Paul Cole Motors in 2021.While Cole-Cassidy eyes more time for relaxation, Christy Cole will continue in a separate business career after the dealership changes hands while continuing to admire her father's achievements and how they influenced her."I have the pictures to prove that the only thing I ever really wanted to do with and in my life was to emulate and be my dad when my dad was here," she said. "And when my dad was gone, the only thing I ever really wanted to do was honor his memory and walk in his footsteps. And that has been deeply held within me my whole life."According to www.paulcolemotors.net, Cole became Ohio's youngest car dealer after buying an American Motors Corporation dealership, located at 1230 N. Countyline St., from Ray Weltle in 1971.Cole awoke without his eyesight one morning in 1973. But his vision as a car dealer never diminished."The morning he woke up and opened his eyes and couldn't see a thing, he said, he just prayed and said, 'Lord, if this is the way my life is going to be, you're going to have to give me what I need to get through life,'" Cole-Cassidy said. "And He did. ... Though he was never able to see again, he didn't become bitter. Paul decided he would do what he needed to do. But he was glad that he would hear. ... He carried on, and in 1977, he added Jeep as a franchise. In 1978, he took on Dodge, and at that time, Dodge included the (Ram) trucks."In 1980, Cole bought the property at 1621 N. Countyline St., which was a Chrysler dealership, and added Chrysler, Plymouth and the since-discontinued Renault. In recent years, the dealership has been a Dodge, Chrysler, Ram and Jeep outlet.He added onto the building in 1987."He was describing to me how he envisioned it and what he thought and where we would put things, and this and that," Cole-Cassidy said. "And it blew my mind because he could see all this in his mind, not having seen it on paper or anything. He envisioned it and I couldn't. I was, like, 'Now, tell me this again.'"As the years went on, the dealership won "countless, countless awards" for excellence, Cole-Cassidy said, and earned such trust among customers that up to four generations of families have purchased vehicles there."We have always believed that the only way to run a business is with honesty and integrity," she said while noting that many business transactions have resulted in friendships as time's gone on. "... We don't lie to our customers. We don't lie to our employees. And we've tried to do the right thing even when it wasn't the best thing for us."Cole hired a 16-year-old Terry Cassidy in 1972, and the young man eventually learned every niche of the business and became general manager. He also eventually married Sandy after both her first spouse and Cassidy's died. Cassidy's now retired from the only place he ever worked but has continually to help out as needed."I've been so blessed," Cole-Cassidy said. "I've had two wonderful husbands, and a lot of people don't have one. ... I can't say how much I appreciate (Christy) and Terry. I'm hoping this will be an extension of what was established here once the new dealer takes over. ... I hope and pray that people will find the honesty and integrity that we have tried to instill throughout the years."The legacy of Paul Cole and the dealership has meant honesty, integrity and more for Christy Cole."What my dad accomplished was nothing short of miraculous and remarkable," she said. "What he did while blind and where he came from ... he didn't come from the business; he didn't have anybody to give him seed money to start the business. There was nothing like that. He established the relationship that he did with Ray Weltle. I mean, to say that he was exceptional is the biggest understatement. ... I think my sentiment would be, if anyone writes anything about me ever and what I did with my life, I hope that it says that I did him proud and honored his legacy and his memory and held true integrity above all else."That's what Paul Cole Motors represents. It's my heart and soul, and, to me, it represents my dad. And my dad was and is and will remain my hero as long as there's air in my lungs."The dealership has meant everything to me my whole life and it is all I have ever known. So, as hard as that is, I hope that we have done well to serve the community generation after generation."