HOMEGROWN
THURSDAY March 26, 2020 Morris Herald-News
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Simotes Motor Sales gives back to community By ALLISON SELK Shaw Media correspondent Simotes Motor Sales and Service has not only sold vehicles in the village of Minooka for nearly 34 years, but chose to give back to the community in which it serves through youth sports, financial scholarships and donating vehicles to local kids with cancer. Founding owner Larry Simotes volunteered with Minooka baseball over 20 years, offering free baseball lessons to the youth and coaching baseball at Minooka Junior High School for 18 years. Larry Simotes, with his first career as a teacher wanted to help children and took his role in the community seriously. He donates to the Minooka High School scholarship fund for athletes, and last year donated 700 copies of his book “Two Strikes and Not Out,” A book about a World War Two Veteran George Edward Bigelow. A Hero who survived the sinking of the SS Leopoldville and one of the greatest men Mr. Simotes ever met. Larry Simotes and his wife Lisa raised two sons and a daughter in Minooka and the boys, Grant and Mac now run the business their father started in 1986 in an old abandoned gas station with 10 cars on the lot. In 1995, Larry built the current location on the corner of I-80 and Ridge Road and in 2018 it was renovated to create more office space and a bigger waiting area for both the sales and service department. Additional renovations are underway with an expanded parking lot in the back and concrete in the front of the building. Larry Simotes spends time in Florida and Minooka, and guides his sons on the day-to-day operations. Grant Simotes said Simo-
Photo provided
Grant Simotes (from left), Larry Simotes and Mac Simotes. tes Motor Sales from day one has strived to sell value, by offering the best vehicles with the lowest miles for the best value to their customers. Most vehicles have extended warranties and all vehicles come with a Power Trane warranty and options for additional extended warranties. Each vehicle goes through service shop inspection by the mechanics on site and if
it does not meet standards, it gets shipped off to auction, according to Grant. The lot holds 100 vehicles at any given time, and Grant said he hopes to bump the number to 115 to give customers even more to choose from. “We want to find out what the customer needs and not pressure them, we like them to decide on their own. If people take their time when
purchasing a vehicle, they feel good about their purchase,” Grant said. Beyond vehicle sales, Simotes Motor Sales and Service has a full service department with certified technicians to service vehicles sold on or off of the lot and uniquely the department has a technician qualified to work on diesel trucks. Larry Simotes said he
knows his giving nature has rubbed off on his sons and daughter. Grant said the scholarship program still thrives and once he and his brother Mac get settled more into Minooka, they too want to get involved with coaching and sports as well as non-profit support. “Local charities and churches are good to take care of because they know
what is most needed and who is in need in the community. Our entire family also has a love for animals and donates to Animal Charities as well, including funding the adoption of 70 dogs in need of homes from the Animal Rescue Project. You might even find our dog Maggie May hanging out on the showroom floor from time to time too,” Grant said.
Family owned & operated for over 33-years We specialize in Low- Mile, High Quality Pre-driven Vehicles Simotes Motors Welcomes
DAN HERLIHY,
formerly with Feehans Auto to our Full-Service Department!
Stock #270960
Stock #351813
Stock #A67265
2019 FORD F-150 XLT SUPERCREW
2019 JEEP CHEROKEE LATITUDE PLUS
22,649 Miles Ext. Dark Gray/ Int. Med. Earth Gray
15,922 Miles Ext. Black/ Int. Black
$27,918
Stock #132359
$20,960
2018 NISSAN ALTIMA S
2020 HYUNDAI ELANTRA SE
2018 DODGE JOURNEY GT
20,924 Miles Ext. Black/ Int. Charcoal
9,553 Miles Ext. Red/ Int. Gray
16,110 Miles Ext. Silver/ Int. Black
$15,960
Stock #505178
$15,760
Stock #329433
$19,760
2018 HONDA CIVIC EX-L COUPE
2018 CHRYSLER PACIFICA LIMITED
2018 RAM 1500 BIG HORN CREW CAB
12,803 Miles Ext. Black/ Int. Gray
9,323 Miles Ext. White/ Int. Black, Light Diesel
28,872 Miles Ext. Red/ Int. Black, Diesel
$19,918
Stock #195147
$33,560
Stock #269051
$24,960
300 N. Ridge Rd Minooka, IL. Sales: 815-467-4630 Service: 815-666-9724
simotesmotorsales.com
SM-CL1 SM-CL1758333
M-Thurs 8am-7pm • Friday 8am-6pm • Saturday 8am-3pm