Jerry Ray Davis auto dealership relocating to former Texas Gas campus

November 4, 2020 | 5:01 pm

Updated November 4, 2020 | 5:01 pm

Photo by Ryan Richardson

The Jerry Ray Davis auto dealership currently located in downtown Owensboro is breaking ground on the construction of a new state-of-the-art facility at 3900 Frederica St. on the former Texas Gas campus. 

The announcement was made by Jerry Ray Davis Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Owensboro KY and Gulfstream Commercial Service on Wednesday afternoon. 

Jerry Ray Davis and his wife Kym Williams Davis purchased the former Steve Jones dealership in June. When they first took over, the couple said they were planning to shed the old identity of the dealership and usher in a new era of how things will operate. That included relocating away from downtown in the near future, changing the entire atmosphere of the car-buying experience, and finding ways to give back to the people of Owensboro.

They said they are looking forward to transitioning their service, selection and commitment to customer satisfaction to the new dealership location.  

“Our sales and service team is already the best in the business and we will soon be able to take what we offer to a whole new level in our new facility,” Jerry Ray said. “We make sure that our team delivers the ‘wow’ moment instead of that ‘whatever’ experience you often walk away with when dealing with our competitors.”

Davis family
Photo submitted

Jerry Ray is a Madisonville native, while Kym grew up in Owensboro. They got married here but moved to Alabama, where they had their son Joseph Thomas. They made a decision a little over a year ago to move back to Kym’s hometown and be a part of the progress Owensboro is experiencing. 

“Investing in Owensboro is simply the right thing to do and my family and I are committed to being a part of making Owensboro the best it has ever been,” Jerry Ray said. “We look forward to working with our brand partners — Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram — to dramatically increase the visibility of these outstanding vehicles and back up our commitment with a level of service this community deserves.” 

Gulfstream and general contractor partner Envision Contractors, LLC will begin construction of the approximately 27,000-square-foot, multi-million dollar facility this winter. According to Gulfstream Chief Operating Officer Ed Ray, plans are to have a grand opening in the Fall of 2021.  

Jerry Ray Davis
Rendering courtesy of Gulfstream Commercial Services

The new dealership will have an abundance of on-site outdoor vehicle staging areas, multiple service bays, detailing bays, customer lounge, sales and parts departments, conference room, indoor showrooms and even new vehicle delivery bays to enhance the overall new vehicle acquisition experience. 

“The opening of this new facility on south Frederica not only creates additional jobs, increases the tax rolls for the city, and offers our community a shining new example of progress on that end of town, but it also frees up nearly 3.5 acres of prime downtown real estate for redevelopment,” Ray said. “The corner of W. 4th Street and Frederica has so much potential as our post-COVID-19 world evolves and redevelopment of our downtown reignites.”

When he first took over the dealership, Jerry Ray said he won’t stop caring when a customer leaves the lot. He said he wants to build trust in anyone who needs a new vehicle or services for their current one.

“We want to be very involved in our community and we want to support them,” he said. “We’re not just about showing up and selling cars. Our service department is also very key to us. Everybody needs a new friend in the car business, and I’m their new friend. We’re more than just a car dealership. We want to make an impact in people’s lives.”

November 4, 2020 | 5:01 pm

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