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rock Farquhar is clearly excited and proud when he talks about celebrating the 85th anniversary of Mac Lang (Sundridge) Ltd., a cornerstone business in this picturesque community of 1000. Having taken over as dealer principal from his father five years ago, Brock is proud to be part of an enterprise that has deep roots in the community. Mac Lang is known for having one of the largest inventories of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM vehicles in the province. Customers come from far and wide because they remember parents, grandparents and great grand-parents doing the same. It has not only become a tradition, they have formed relationships with staff members that have been with the dealership for so many years. Purchasing a vehicle has become a “destination outing” as Mac Lang customers take the opportunity to shop at a favourite local store and eat at a restaurant they enjoy. Brock has been involved in the family business his entire working life. He started at Mac Lang when he was 14, in the wash bay, cleaning cars and doing odd jobs. Many staff members have worked at Mac Lang since Brock was a child and feel like family to him. The Farquhar Family purchased the business from Mac Lang himself in 1979.
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Mac Lang had been carrying on a tradition started by his father Willard Lang, back in 1932. Back then it was called Sundridge Garage, a repair shop and gas station that sold Dodge Brothers Trucks as a sideline. Mac started working at the garage shortly after the war and by the 1960’s the business was renamed Mac Lang Chrysler Products and really started to grow. Mac was a rather colourful businessman. He was a no holds barred, tell it like it is kind of person. He added the now famous “Sells for Less” slogan, still in use today, and was an early adopter of television advertising, buying ads on TV stations all over northern and central Ontario. In the 80’s, with the Farquhar family at the helm, the “Sells for Less” tradition carried on. A new company jingle was created. It ended with the catchy phrase “In Sunny Sundridge…Sells for Less!” The “Sunny Sundridge” concept has since become part of the Village’s identity and reflects the connection between the business and the community. As Brock looks back on the history of Mac Lang he can’t imagine being able to work and live in a more beautiful place. The commute to work takes two minutes and the cottage country life is at his front door. He is excited to celebrate 85 years in business here in Sunny Sundridge and certain that Mac Lang’s will be around for at least another 85 more.
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