ANOTHER LEVEL OF LUXURY AT LEXUS OF ROYAL OAK Written by Rennay Craats | Published by Melissa Mitchell
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“Over time I started to think that the true test of success would be to see if I could start a dealership from scratch,” says Todd Richardson, general manager and dealer at Lexus of Royal Oak.
Lawrence’s son, Glen, grew up taking cars apart and putting them back together and his keen interest spurred him to enter the business, founding Charlesglen Toyota in 1988. His son, Todd, who inherited an interest in automobiles, acquired his formal education before starting to learn the ropes at Charlesglen from his dad. He managed the successful dealership for 14 years before deciding to start on his own path.
When Lexus expressed a need for a second dealership in Calgary, the timing was perfect, and Todd and his two partners threw their hat into the ring for the franchise. They were chosen and they started planning. While they originally planned to take over Charlesglen Toyota’s former location in Crowfoot Centre, they determined it wouldn’t be big enough or offer enough parking to accommodate his vision for the dealership. Instead, Lexus approved the dealership to be built in the Northwest Auto Mall and launched Lexus of Royal Oak, with its 20-vehicle showroom and 18-bay stateof-the-art service shop, on Valentine’s Day 2014. Today, the fourth generation of Richardsons – Todd’s daughter Julia as
he automotive business is in the Richardson family’s DNA, with four generations building on the lessons learned by those who blazed trails before them. In 1935, Lawrence Richardson and his brother Bill tore down the family farm in Alsask, Alberta, hauled the lumber to Nanton and built a service station where they sold gas, repaired tires and, thanks to a bedroom in the back of the station, offered 24-hour service.
Lexus of Royal Oak • Celebrating 10 years
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