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Chris Nikel celebrates 40 years as Tulsa auto dealer I
n 1973, Chris Nikel opened Tulsa’s Alfa Romeo dealership — Chris Nikel Autohaus — with just six employees and 30 cars on display. Today, as the dealer celebrates his 40th year in the automobile business, Chris Nikel Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge Ram is a mega dealership with a 1,200-car/truck display on 14 acres with 140 employees. And a FIAT studio has been added to the mix. “I credit our longevity to following the three ‘Ps’ — patience, pride and perseverance — and the good fortune to surround myself with fine people,” says Nikel. Nikel, a native of Austria, entered the auto business on May 2, 1952 in the service department of a dealership in his native country, working his way up to a new car salesman in 1965, used car manager in 1969, and then general manager for the local Nissan and BMW dealer from 1970-1973. When he opened Chris Nikel Autohaus in 1973, Alfa Romeo was the Tulsan’s dream car. “It’s not only transportation,” he says of the legendary Italian sportscar. “It has personality.” The dealership soon expanded in the European car segment with the addition of FIAT, Renault, Bertone and Pininfarina to its lineup at 3737 S. Memorial Drive. In 1987 Nikel seized the chance to expand his dealership by adding Jeep and later Chrysler, Dodge and Ram trucks. The business was located at the Admiral traffic circle location from 1987-1992 before moving to the corner of East 11th Street and South Lewis Avenue. In 2005, Nikel
Ambassador Hotel unveils renovations T
An aeriel view of Chris Nikel’s mega dealership on the Broken Arrow Expressway. moved his growing enterprise to the group’s signature South 145th East Avenue and Broken Arrow Expressway location — affectionately known as the “Dodge Mahal.” Today, the dealership also maintains its preowned Jeep store on South Memorial Drive, and the FIAT studio is located next door at the original Autohaus’ location. “It’s like rekindling an old flame,” Nikel says of bringing the exciting FIAT brand — the pride of Italy — back to Tulsa.
he Ambassador Hotel recently finished renovations to its lobby, restaurant and meeting rooms — all to enhance its guests’ experience. Originally named The Ambassador and built in 1929, the historic hotel was reopened by Paul Coury, owner of The Ambassador Hotel Collection, in 1999. Guests are now welcomed by the lobby’s new spacious brightness, which was created with fresh paint, lighting and furniture. “Prior to the renovation, it was darker and more intimate,” says William Kinser, Ambassador’s managing director. “Although still intimate, the lobby now exudes a lighter and warmer glow, and overall is more inviting to our guests.” The Chalkboard Restaurant, located in the hotel’s basement, received new carpet, banquettes and chairs, while the hotel’s meeting rooms now have new floor treatments. Guest rooms feature new furniture to keep the rooms up to date, yet “still comfortably familiar,” Kinser adds. “As a company, our focus this year is to establish the Ambassador Hotel Collection brand so that all of our hotels reflect the same vibrancy and historic elegance as our new hotels in Kansas City, Wichita and Oklahoma City,” Coury says.
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TulsaPeople JULY 2013
While many things have changed over the years, Nikel’s commitment to the three “Ps” has kept the business grounded. Nikel, along with his wife Milena, daughter Tina and son Chris, work at the family-owned and managed dealership.
Chris Nikel Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge Ram is located at 2920 N. Aspen Ave., Broken Arrow. Chris Nikel FIAT is located at 3737 S. Memorial Drive. For more information, call 918-355-5000 or visit www.chrisnikel.com or www.chrisnikelfiat.com.
Ambassador Hotel owner Paul Coury stands in the hotel’s newly renovated lobby.
The Ambassador Hotel is located at 1324 S. Main St. For more information, call 918-587-8200 or visit www.ambassadorhotelcollection.com/tulsa.