On Monday, June 17th, a small groundbreaking ceremony took place at the corner of Hanes Road and Ott Road – the future location of Festing Toyota.
The new 24,000 square foot facility is scheduled for completion in the Summer of 2025.
Morry Edelstein (RAI Architects Inc.) head architect for the project, Joe Voisin (Pinestone Engineering), Nick Scarlett (HLD Corporation) and John Gallagher (JPG and Associates) have been working hard to bring this day to fruition.
MPP Graydon Smith was on hand, as was Deputy Mayor Dan Armour and Councilor Bob Stone, who joined Scott Festing and Michelle Harvey (owners of Festing Toyota) along with Toyota Canada Inc. representatives Robert Tsang (Director, Toyota Sales and Field Operations), Steve Pilkey (Director, Parts Operations and Service Retention), and Randy Green (Dealer Development Manager) for the event. Other attendees included Festing Toyota team members.
Festing Toyota has been servicing the community’s vehicle needs in Huntsville for over 40 years.
Vern Festing introduced the Toyota brand to Muskoka when he opened Festing Toyota on Highway 60 in 1981. From those humble beginnings, Festing Toyota quickly became a reputable and successful company and having outgrown that location moved to 69 Centre Street North in 1988. Continued success meant an expansion at that same location in 2004. Shortly thereafter, Vern passed away suddenly, and the next generation (Scott and Michelle) have taken the company to the next level.
With over 20 employees and limited parking, Festing Toyota’s success continued and it became evident that another expansion was required. Neighbouring properties were purchased in 2013 with that in mind and in 2022 work began for planning yet another expansion.
Those plans came to a halt when the opportunity to move to the Hanes Road location became a reality almost a year ago.
The new location will see the business grow from its current 8000 square foot to a 24,000 square foot facility, and will create additional jobs in 2025.
Groundwork has started at the new location on Hanes Road with plans to have the new dealership open for business in summer 2025.
MPP Graydon Smith, Deputy Mayor Dan Armour, Robert Tsang and Michelle Harvey said a few words before they put their shovels in the ground.
This is a clear commitment that the Festing family believes in the community, and in the Toyota brand. They know that this new building together with the team they’re putting in place will improve the overall customer experience for many years to come.
Festing Toyota would like to thank our community for their ongoing support and look forward to continuing to serve you now and in the future at our new dealership
