Jim Grant Motor Company has a new location at 5359 Nika Drive off the U.S. Highway 45 Bypass.
NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM and WNWS.COM visited with owner Jim Grant for a Question and Answer session.
Question: For 33 years, you sold vehicles on North Highland Avenue. What made you decide to leave your North Highland Avenue location for the U.S. Highway 45 Bypass?
Answer: I passed by this new location just about every day for 34 years. My eye was always drawn to the building that was built to house a catfish restaurant.
 We needed additional space, a larger lot – and it was already paved – a larger building, and this one was already built.
The modification to the building was very affordable. The results – a beautiful rustic atmosphere to sell our pre-owned automobiles.
Customers can sit on the huge back porch and relax while viewing the 15-acre lake. This property was perfect for ease of access.
My staff and I felt that this location provided Jackson Motor Company with the best opportunity to meet our future needs.
Question: Would you give us a little information about the area of your new location at 5359 Nika Drive?
Answer: With U.S. Highway 45 East and West converging just one-half mile north of this location, the traffic count is greatly increased.
As you reported last week, the announcement of Jones Chevrolet of Humboldt building across from us on the Bypass, should make the area a must stop for car shoppers all across West Tennessee and the surrounding areas.
Question: What has traffic (visitors) been like since you moved north?
Answer: The traffic has grown each month since we moved to our new location on Nov. 4, 2019.
We have been invested in the Internet for about seven years, so were are getting a nice mix of both types of traffic.
The appearance of the facility on the Internet and to the local traveler is already paying dividends.
Question: Was there a thought of keeping your North Highland Avenue location?
Answer: Not really. We’re just grateful and blessed to have the opportunity to have a quality facility to operate our business. And I can fish at this one!
Question: The area you’re in continues to develop. Would you say you are encouraged by the timing of your move?
Answer: Absolutely. I’ve traveled this highway almost everyday since 1987 and often wondered “when,” and when is now.
Question: Your family has a history in automobile sales. Would you give us some background?
Answer: I am a third generation automobile dealer. In 1943, Willie Austin Brown, my grandfather, was owner and operator of Brown Chevrolet in Alamo.
My father, James Noble Grant went to work for my grandad in 1953.
As an accounting major at Union University, he was able to learn from my grandad and at the same time apply his acquired skills from Union University.
My grandfather passed in 1971, and my father was named as president.
In 1978, I made the decision to pursue the automobile business as my career.
In 1978, we sold our interest in Brown Chevrolet to my aunt and uncle, and my dad steered us 20 miles north to Trenton, where he purchased Currie Chevrolet and began Grant-Worrell Chevrolet.
It wasn’t until 1986 when Jackson Motor County was formed by my dad, myself and my brother-in -law, Herbert Worrell.
My wife, Debbie and I became sole owners in 1990 till present.
I can’t say enough about being taught by people of faith – and my two mentors taught me how to “keep the faith” in a tough business. They taught me to depend on my Father above.
(PHOTO: Jim Grant, Jim Grant Motor Company)
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