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Business & Tech

From Controversy to Burgers to Cars

Nyack commercial property finds new tenant, will sell cars

In 1954, local car dealer Jack Kurland built the glass "fish bowl" showroom at 28 Route 59 for his Cadillac and Oldsmobile dealership. Kurland successfully ran his business there until 1974, when he moved his dealership to Nanuet.  

Between 1974 and 1977, there were a few other car dealerships at that location, as well as a fruit and vegetable market. (See photos.)

Al Blackwell purchased the property from Lillian and Jack Kurland in 1978 and opened World of Wheels. Blackwell sold cars and RVs until 1994, when he moved his business to Florida. 

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After World of Wheels, Blackwell leased the property to Kia Motors (Nissan) for about five years until they sold their dealership. After that, the property was leased again to another car dealership for several more years—but once they were gone, the property sat vacant.   

Needing to pay the taxes and expenses, Blackwell had few options and accepted the only offer—the infamous adult bookstore. (And we all know how that went: opposition from village residents, including Stephen Baldwin, was too strong, and the bookstore soon shut down.)  

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After that controversial tenancy, the property again remained empty—until a local businessman thought it would be a great spot for an old-timey burger hop-style restaurant. But the plan didn't work out, and soon the Nyack Burger Hop had to close its doors, as well.  

The property sat unoccupied again for two more years until 2012, when Seth Marks of Palisades Auto Sales—a local car dealer from down the road—purchased the lot. Marks runs a successful car dealership at the corner of Route 59 in West Nyack near the Palisades Center, and decided it was time for him to expand and take his business to another level. 

Marks plans on renovating the glass building and returning the showroom to what it was originally built to be: a stage for quality, pre-owned automobiles. 

He plans on displaying exotic cars, motorcycles and SUVs, as well.

In addition to offering financing and warranties, Marks will locate cars, purchase vehicles and carry out repairs.

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