Walt’s Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram Celebrates Grand Opening

Last Friday, Walt’s Live Oak CDJR held their grand opening. Photo Center, GM Bryan Blair with Owner Liz Bryan cutting the ribbon, with son, Walter III and daughter Susie on either side of them. -Lake City Reporter Courtesy Photo

By Tami Stevenson

Everyone at Walt’s Auto Group was excited to hold the official grand opening for the new construction of Walt’s Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram (CDJR) dealership, located on Highway 129, next to Walt’s Ford, in Live Oak, on June 13.

The Suwannee County Chamber held a ribbon cutting ceremony with chamber members, city and county officials and members of the community.

According to Walt’s CFO Jennifer Johnson, the new building boasts 20,000 square feet, divided into 10,000 square feet for the showroom/sales department and 10,000 for their service department.

“This is very exciting for us,” said Walt’s Auto Group General Manager Bryan Blair. “It was a long, hard road to bring this thing open, but we finally got here and we are so proud to have this in Suwannee County, with our friends and neighbors.”

Blair said it took them five years to complete the building. “Between water management, permitting, excavating, (etc,) any obstacle you can imagine happened.”

One major obstacle was clay. They found clay under the construction site that had to be removed because it expands and contracts. They had to first dig all of the clay out, then fill it back in with regular dirt.

“We used local contractors on everything that was possible,” said Blair. They had created around 350 jobs during the construction phase.

Gamble Construction, of Live Oak, was chosen as the main contractor. Jay Hatfield, president of Gamble Construction, said they used other local contractors on everything that was possible, Bennet’s Glass, Woods Electric, Lake City Plumbing and others.

Gamble Construction has been in business for over 30 years. Hatfield said he remembers doing the original remodel on the Walt’s Ford dealership, next door, when it was first purchased in 1993, bringing things into full circle for them.

Liz Bryan, owner of Walt’s Auto Group, attended the grand opening along with her daughter, Susie and son, Walter III.

Liz Bryan said it felt great to finally have this construction done. “Oh my gosh, what a relief!” She said, “It turned out so good, we’re happy with it.”

She added that without the help of her exceptional team, this would not be possible. “I don’t do it all on my own.” She added, “If I didn’t have them, I’d have nothing. So you’re nothing without your employees.”

She said they used local contractors as much as they could throughout all of the construction. “You have to support your community, because we’re all in this together, really.”

Bryan, along with the friendly and helpful staff at Walt’s CDJR, would like to invite everyone to stop in for a visit. “Come out and see us!”

They can be reached at 386-272-7667 or visit their website at waltsliveoakcdjr.com for more information.

Guests visit inside the show room at Walt’s CDJR during their grand opening. -SVT Photos by Tami Stevenson

Visitors enjoyed ice cream and appetizers at Walt’s CDJR during their grand opening. -SVT Photo

Walt’s CFO Jennifer Johnson and General Manager Bryan Blair. -SVT Photo

Mayor Frank Davis, left, with Live Oak City Clerk John Gill holding his new Walt’s coffee mug. -SVT Photo