Hayward expands to Tillamook: emerging trend in business growth?

Published 5:00 pm Tuesday, July 31, 2007

A Warrenton car dealership has expanded to facilities in Tillamook, following what may be an emerging trend in regional business growth.

Chris Hayward, owner of Ocean Crest Chevrolet Cadillac Buick on Hwy 101 in Warrenton recently purchased Power Chevrolet in Tillamook, also on Hwy 101.

The dealership reopened last month as Hayward’s Tillamook Chevrolet Cadillac.

“We were looking to expand and the facility was offered to us,” said Hayward. “It’s a good fit. We like the community.”

Hayward’s path to Tillamook reflects his company’s steady expansion. The company also owns Joe Hayward Ford in Dallas, Oregon, and Metro West Bus, which sells shuttle buses.

Hayward bought Ocean Crest Chevrolet in Astoria in 1997, and the dealership ran for many years from its downtown location.

Then in 2004, Ocean Crest moved to newly constructed facilities in Warrenton. That location puts the business in an exciting spot from a retail point of view: a stone’s throw from the Home Depot and Costco business hub projected for the Dolphin Rd. intersection with Hwy 101.

While Hayward’s expansion to the Tillamook area is a sign of his company’s success, it may also represent a growing trend among Clatsop County firms.

Sandy Hemenway, director of the Tillamook Chamber of Commerce, said the area is drawing new attention.

“Tillamook has been discovered,” she said. “But development is still happening slower than areas north and south of us.”

She said in addition to the Bank of Astoria, TLC Federal Credit Union is scoping out the area for a possible new facility. The Port of Tillamook is also looking to support more business.

Hayward said the new Tillamook dealership will be staffed by team members from the Warrenton office, and no new hires are pending at the moment.

“We’ve retained all our people,” he said.

The company is considering some alterations to the building.

Hayward said they’ll be having a “Meet the New Owners Night” at the new dealership sometime soon.