New dealership brings quality used cars, jobs and revitalization to Bradenton area
Off Lease Only used-car dealership has opened in the Bradenton area, bringing revitalization to a 15-acre parcel of property along a major urban corridor, along with job opportunities and another car shopping option for consumers.
Located at 3230 14th St. W. , Off Lease Only stands on property once occupied by AutoWay Ford and Panda Garden Restaurant.
Although the dealership has been open less than two weeks, it already has about 600 cars on site, located behind the sales office. Off Lease’s inventory is expected to grow to about 1,000 vehicles within the first year, said Alan J. McClaren, executive vice president and chief operating officer.
All of the inventory is high-quality, low-mileage 2017-2021 reconditioned used cars, trucks, SUVS and vans ranging from economy to luxury, he said.
Most of the vehicles were manufacturer leases purchased at auction and come with the remaining manufacturer warranty. Each listing comes with a Carfax and TrueFrame report, he said.
“We are thrilled to be open for business in our new Bradenton location, and look forward to serving this growing market with our unique approach to customer service and our market-leading selection of vehicles priced thousands of dollars below retail,” McLaren said.
“We look forward to being part of the Bradenton, Sarasota, broader Tampa Bay area, and the entire West Coast of Florida to continue growing our team of dedicated customer service professionals,” he said.
Founded in 2004, Off Lease Only is one of the largest privately-owned, independent used-car dealerships in the United States. The company has other retail locations in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Miami and Orlando. In all, the company has about 5,000 vehicles listed online.
“It made a lot of sense for us to have a presence on the West Coast. We have sold and shipped a lot of cars to the West Coast and have already developed 21,000 business relationships within a 50-mile radius. We think we can serve the entire West Coast of Florida from here,” McLaren said.
“Bradenton has a vibrant environment. It feels good to be here,” he said. “Here is a shout out to local government officials. They have been great to work with. We are really excited to be here.”
The new dealership represents true revitalization of the area, as well as new jobs. The company started from the ground up with all new buildings and pavement. The company opened its Bradenton dealership with a staff of 60, and expects to grow that number to about 100.
Manatee County Commissioner Reggie Bellamy welcomed the jobs and the revitalization that the new dealership brings to the area.
“Anytime that you have revitalization and job creation, especially during a pandemic, that is very impactful. We definitely need to capitalize on this opportunity,” Bellamy said.
About one-third of customers are in the market for a luxury vehicle. About one-third are in the market for a vehicle costing under $20,000.
“We have a really wide range of customers,” McLaren said.
Off Lease Only touts its no-negotiating, no-haggling, no-hidden fees, and a five-day, 500-mile no-questions-asked free exchange policy.
The dealership is open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily, except Sunday when it is open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. The company is open for business and plans to celebrate with a grand opening on April 18.
For more information, visit www.offleaseonly.com.
This story was originally published March 26, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
