SHOEDER’S AUTO & TRUCK SALES OPENS FOR BUSINESS:
(printed in North Star Journal, May 30, 2007-Rhinelander, Wisconsin
As long as there
has been a car dealership in the area, Rhinelander had yet to see one owned and
operated by a woman.
That can no longer be said as Lynn Shoeder takes the first step in to what used
to be typically a man’s world.
“I started
working at this location for my father when it was Northwoods Tire and Auto in
the late seventies,” recalls Lynn
with an excited smile.
But the journey began long before that.
It all started
back in 1967 to be exact, when the Shoeders opened their first car lot selling
Chrysler products at a little gas station
in Phelps. And so began a family legacy in which the auto business would span
throughout the majority of the lives of six Shoeder children.
In the 40 years
that the Shoeder family has been a part of the Northwoods community, 39 would be
spent putting a good part of the
citizens from the surrounding five counties into a new or used car or truck.
But having
decided to hang it up in 2006, the Shoeder siblings went about their lives in
other ventures. It was a bittersweet decision,
and for the first time in four decades, the Shoeders put the auto dealership to
rest.
”I’ve been the
janitor, title clerk, salesperson and the finance manager,” Lynn recalls of the
journey that brought her full circle.
“But now I’m back here to run my own business, doing all of the above!”
Shoeder’s Auto & Truck
Sales opened its doors May 1, with a line of pre-owned vehicles…and introducing
a new idea:
one that seems to be the latest public craze.
“Besides offering
affordable used car and trucks, we are also selling new and used golf carts.”
Lynn adds, “This is my husband Mike’s venture!
We are in the process of expanding into service and parts too.”
Lynn will be
keeping with old traditions by jumping into her new business with family at her
side. “I will also be working with my brother
Mike Shoeder as my sales manager, and my father, Bob will be on sight helping in
all areas of the business. I hope to get this location to be a lively place once
again.”
We’ll just have to watch and see what the next 40 years has in store. It’s a good bet that the Shoeder’s aren’t going away any time soon.