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The Saturn concept began in the mid to late 80's. During this time over ten thousand applicants were being screened to be part of a brand new car company - SATURN. The Gwatney family was among the first few that were chosen to be retailers. Saturn of Memphis was one of twenty-six SATURN dealerships to open on the first day the new brand went on sale. The Gwatney family (Harold, Russell, and Bill) already owned three Chevrolet Dealerships, two in Memphis and one in Jacksonville, Arkansas. Harold Gwatney had been a Chevrolet dealer since 1958 in Jacksonville and had passed on his love of the automotive business to his sons, Russell and Bill. Russell moved to Memphis in 1988 and purchased Charlie Bradshaw Chevrolet on Austin Peay. Gwatney-Chevrolet Isuzu was born. While running a successful dealership, he still pursued SATURN. On March 13, 1990 the Gwatney family saw their pursuit become a reality as building began for the Saturn of Memphis location. This, however, was not just any groundbreaking. This was the first ground breaking in the nation for a facility to sell the new car known as Saturn. On October 25, 1990, after many months of training and building, Saturn of Memphis opened its doors to the public along with twenty five other retail facilities across the nation. The Commercial Appeal treated the opening as though it were an opening of an art gallery instead of a car dealership. Of course this was no ordinary car dealership it was "a different kind of company, and a different kind of car". Saturn pioneered the no-haggle no-hassle pricing philosophy for their customers (aka. family members to Saturn team members). Saturn also did something very unique - they really consulted with their customers about their transportation needs for their purchase. Dr. John Shea, world-renowned hearing specialist, purchased the first Saturn from the new facility on Covington Pike. Since then Saturn of Memphis has delivered several thousand new Saturns to other happy family members. In the fall of 1994, the Gwatney family realized that another Saturn facility was needed on the south side of town, so they opened shop at 7300 Winchester in a trailer while the new facility was being constructed into Saturn of Germantown. Saturn of Germantown had its Grand Opening in August 1995 and has been serving the MidSouth ever since creating even more happy family members. In 1998 the Gwatney family decided to expand their Saturn facilities to one more location - Jackson. Jackson was chosen because of the great distance between Memphis and Nashville that did not have a Saturn facility. In November 1998 the Gwatney family opened Saturn of Jackson in a trailer similar to the one that they had at Saturn of Germantown. The Grand Opening of Saturn of Jackson was held in May 1999. This location was the first in Saturn Corporations history to have the updated design known as RED II. Saturn of Jackson was the first Saturn facility to be built from the ground up as a RED II facility (complete with fireplace). Saturn of Jackson has followed in the footsteps of its sister stores in serving the Jackson community.
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