Congratulations to Plaza Auto Auction celebrating 60 years in business here in Mount Vernon. It is not every day a business makes that milestone in any community, and highlights success and perseverance in challenging times.
One of those challenging times was in the past four years and the COVID-19 pandemic. With new owner John Quinn, the business made the shift to online sales and auctions because of installation of new cameras and computer equipment, a pivot that both general manager Sean McNeal and Quinn acknowledged helped keep the business afloat when in person auctions were not allowed. It is a pivot that has helped even after the pandemic in getting more bids for vehicles on the lot and integrating the live and in-person auctions allows for a better experience.
It is also a location to give many area teenagers their first jobs. It was one of McNeal’s first jobs in the community, and one that drew him and his family back to the community for the general manager position. He knows the staff they have sometimes have conflicts due to sporting activities they’re also involved in. McNeal has also worked at making Plaza more involved in the community in different ways.
There have been improvements to the business over the years, from obtaining additional property as the auction house has grown, to expanding the auction house’s west location to run more auto lanes.
It is a business many in Mount Vernon (if they do not work there), may never set foot in as well, due to working with mainly licensed auto dealers for their sales.
But most of all, it has made Mount Vernon a destination for many dealers of vehicles for the past 60 years.
As McNeal noted, many dealers make it a habit of closing early or leaving their dealership to make it to Plaza by the roughly 6 p.m. start time and bid on used vehicles that will add to their inventory. It shows a business that has made customer service important to have many returning and dedicated customers return to the sale every week.
Sun Editorial – It’s not every day a business celebrates 60 years – Congratulations Junction
September 7, 2023