Photo: St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce
Reaching your 100 Year Anniversary is an incredible milestone for any business.
Disbrowe Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac Ltd in St. Thomas in one of the latest businesses to do so and celebrated this major anniversary with the community who got them there, through a special event hosted at the dealership.
General Manager Karen Johnson notes it was an unforgettable evening spent celebrating a milestone that not many can say they have.
Disbrowe celebrated “Vegas Style”, at a private event for St. Thomas Chamber Members and other invited guests, with hundreds of people stopping by to share their congratulations adds Johnson.
And that’s because it’s a name they know they can trust notes Johnson, adding why the Disbrowe name still lives on in St. Thomas.
Despite being a household name in the community, it didn’t start out that way. Johnson takes us back to when the family first got into the automotive business.
The year was 1987, and Carl Ansingh took the dealership formerly known as Heath Chevrolet Oldsmobile Cadillac, and opened Carriage Chevrolet Oldsmobile Cadillac in St. Thomas.
While Ansingh and the family worked to re-establish their new dealership in St. Thomas, from 1987-1988, Disbrowe Motors expanded to a new building, relocating to the corner of First and Edward Street by the Hwy #3 by-pass.
Then in 1993, a downturn in the economy forced some hands, leading to a partnership with the local GM dealers notes Johnson.
In 1997, Carl Ansingh made the decision to buy out John Disbrowe, becoming the sole owner and operator of Disbrowe Pontiac Buick GMC Cadillac Ltd.
Johnson says it was not long after that she hopped on board.
And it’s all about the customer as Johnson stresses. She explains how the Disbrowe business model allows for lasting relationships within the community.
With so much change over a 100 year period, we asked Johnson to look back at some significant ones that she helped spearhead. She notes keeping up with the ever evolving industry is definitely an accomplishment to be proud of.
Johnson adds that Disbrowe’s has been a family business since day one. On behalf of Johnson’s and the ones before, she thanks the community for 100 years of support.
Johnson has also created a full timeline on the history of Disbrowe Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac Ltd in St. Thomas.
Written by: K. Freeman
