Gramps' 1949 Chevy leads way to new dealership

Jill Hattan drove a 1949 Chevy sedan one of the first my grandfather sold from Don Hattan Chevrolet's current showroom in Wichita, KS, up I-35 to its future home just outside Park City. For Ms. Hattan, manager of the third-generation store, the drive represents where we've come from, and how that heritage continues to carry us forward. Her father, Jim Hattan, made his ceremonial drive to the same

October 1, 2002

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Jill Hattan drove a 1949 Chevy sedan — “one of the first my grandfather sold” — from Don Hattan Chevrolet's current showroom in Wichita, KS, up I-35 to its future home just outside Park City.

For Ms. Hattan, manager of the third-generation store, the drive represents “where we've come from, and how that heritage continues to carry us forward.”

Her father, Jim Hattan, made his ceremonial drive to the same spot in a 2003 Corvette. Local dignitaries and well-wishers met them for groundbreaking ceremonies on the six-acre site.

Plans call for the multi-million-dollar Don Hattan Chevy flagship store to open by mid-April. The ceremonies didn't stop the work. The noise from grading equipment sometimes nearly drowned out the speakers.

The new facility will cover 35,000 sq. ft. and include 28 service bays and areas to serve fleet and commercial specialty vehicles.

Don Hattan founded the dealership in 1949. The first burned down in 1962. The current store dates to 1963.

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