The Mears family business:

Mears Motors was established in 1971. James and Kay Mears ran the business at that time with the boys, Bob and Andy helping out after school. James had a long background in the car business with Modern  Chevrolet  and Montgomery Volkswagen prior to opening his own car lot. After many successful years of the used car business, the family decided to commit to a new car franchise.  Bob had been working at Plains Mazda for a couple of years and had some insight about the Mazda product. In 1975 Mazda was purchased and the Mears family has never looked back. The dealership was operated in a Burger Chef building on 43rd and Q at that time. A very small property for a new car business, but overhead was low. After a few years there they moved back into the old Plains Mazda building on 19th and L. At that time we thought they would never use all that space. After all, in the old building they had only two stalls for repair, and only two technicians. Business was great, and with all that space they were looking for more franchises. So in 1977 they acquired the MG, Jaguar, and Triumph franchise which was kept until they pulled out of the U.S. in 1980. Then acquired was Volvo Franchise which has been very successful and a compliment to the Mazda line. And in 1989 the Avanti line was also acquired. In 2001 the dealership  moved to the current location of Spur 327 and Iola. With lots of worrying about the higher overhead, it turned out to be the best business move they ever made. Business has been strong and steadily improving every month since the move. The Mazda and Volvo lines have proven to be two automobiles that fit the Mears business practices quite well. They are the type of cars you sell your friends and neighbors and never have a worry. It would be difficult toe even count the loyal, repeat customers that the Mears family has helped with their car purchases over the last 37 years. Its hard to believe that they have now sold three generations automobiles. Many or our customers are in their double digit purchases from Mears.  James retired in 1983 leaving Bob and Andy to run the show. They are both full time employees, and in the store most of the time. It is one of the few local, family owned and operated stores left in Texas.