AgdaPkt 2016-09-12 Closed and Joint SA PFA

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The building was designed in the front on Main Street to have three bays. In the center bay was a double door entrance to allow for new automobiles to be brought into the front room display area. On either side of the entry doors were large glass display windows, so passersby could see and admire new automobiles. In the rear were double door garage doors, too, designed to allow rear access from Maple Street for customers needing repairs. Just as the rear was used for the horse corral, the autos awaiting repairs could be "corralled" out back, since there was little parking on Main Street. (In 1920, Redwood City was still pretty much a horse-and-wagon town, but they were fast disappearing.) The front entrance doors were also tall and wide enough for tractors, since Dave Flynn also sold Ford tractors. Dave Flynn was not the first agent for Ford Motor Co.; he was the third. Between 1913 and August 1916, two men operated as Ford agents. Dave Flynn apparently had a better idea. Ford selected him as their South San Mateo County agent in August 1916. His territory covered Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City, Woodside, Portola, and Atherton. For awhile he operated out of a leased store on the corner of Broadway and Washington, but maps show that there was not much room to park cars, or display or work on them inside. By 1920 he was also the local representative for Good Year tires. Certainly as his business increased, he needed larger and more suitable space. The site of Beal's long, empty lot on Main Street probably answered every need. Dave's brothers Dan and Thomas had operated various stables in Redwood City and one in Palo Alto. All of those stables faced on a Main Street with rear access from another street. No doubt this family knowledge was used to design this building, which is the first building in Redwood City designed specifically to be an automobile showroom, with repairs and service in the rear. In January 1926 Dave Flynn sold his Ford agency dealership, the garage and repair shop, and the parts-accessory business to Frank K. Towne, a local banker. Towne Ford Motor Company began its operation in this building. In January 1992 they will celebrate 66 years as being the only local Ford dealership. In 1930 Towne Motor Company moved to a different location. In 1931-32 B.P. Arata opened a feed and fuel business, selling coal, chicken feed, and other feed and fuel items. In 1934 the Garden City Products Co. took over Arata and continued operating through World War II. They also sold bedding plants, garden supplies, and nursery stock. In 1950 they closed up and the store was vacant until 1955-56 when the Peninsula Trading Post (a second-hand store) moved in. Uke Popik and his family had operated a second-hand furniture store at a different location on Main Street. Their move to Flynn's old automobile showroom and garage offered easier rear access from Maple Street for their large furniture. Page 53 7.B. - Page 64