A POPULAR Ford dealership has shut down for good, ready to make way for another outlet from a massive auto shop chain.
The now-demolished DealMaker Ford, located on Route 68 in Oswegatchie, near Ogdensburg, New York, is set to transform into a new AutoZone store.
A new 6,800-square-foot AutoZone store is set to replace the former DealMaker Ford dealership near Ogdensburg, New York[/caption]
The dealership closes its doors after over two decades of service[/caption]
According to Watertown Daily Times, N.Y., the location will boast a huge 6,800-square-foot building, constructed by the property owner, DPMJ LLC, on the Route 37 portion of the property.
The project, which has received conditional approval from the town, was finalized during a city council meeting last month – although no timeline for the store’s completion has been released at this time.
AutoZone, which sells auto parts and related services, has 229 other locations in New York State alone.
The chain, which is expanding as part of an ‘aggressive’ plan, has opened 54 domestic stores in the US during Q3 2025, according to a recent report.
Their total store count has now reached 7,516 including 6,537 stores in the US, 838 in Mexico and 141 in Brazil.
The brand’s president and CEO, Phil Daniele, boasted how the brand has opened 30 new international stores this past quarter in Mexico and Brazil – representing their entire presence outside of the US.
The project at the former DealMaker Ford dealership site, which first opened in 2000, was initially approved by the town, contingent on DPMJ LLC and the city of Ogdensburg agreeing to run water out to the new store location.
Russell B. Lawrence IV, the Oswegatchie Code Enforcement Officer, said: “Our approval was contingent on providing proof of an agreement with the city to provide water.”
Autozone, which reported $18.49 billion in revenue during FY 2024, employs some 126,000 employees worldwide.
Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, Autozone began life in 1979 with their first store in Forrest City, Arkansas.
IN STOCK
A driver has recently revealed a genius DIY trick to juicing up a car’s air conditioning this summer, and it only costs $34.99 from AutoZone.
Car expert Lesha said, “you’re the mechanic now,” after unveiling the affordable solution that can be purchased straight from the store’s shelves.
“If your A/C is blowing out hot air, don’t call the mechanic, baby, because you are the mechanic,” she stated.
The social media star advised her followers to buy a can of B’laster R-134a Refrigerant Kit with Stop Leak and UV Dye for $34.99 at Auto Zone.
“Go home and use two fingers to pop the hood open—that bad boy up—and prop this up,” she instructs her fans.
She said drivers should search around the engine for a nozzle with an “L” on the cap, being mindful not to use the one labeled with an “H.”
The TikToker then shows how to use the recharger from the kit, pointing to the gauge on the top of the can.
“If you attach this nozzle and it does not say you’re low, you don’t need to do this,” she mentioned. “It might be another issue with your air conditioning.”
Then, she starts the car, showing off that her DIY repair worked flawlessly.
Little-known Car Features
How often do you look at features on your vehicle and not know why they are there? Here are some answers:
Gas Tank Locator:
- Drivers may or may not have noticed the small arrow next to the gas symbol on the dash.
- This indicates which side of the vehicle has the gas tank so you don’t need to stretch the hose over the car or get out of your vehicle to check before parking at a pump.
Road Condition Indicator:
- A snowflake icon might flash up on your dashboard when driving in cold weather.
- This informs drivers that temperatures outside are cold enough for the roads to freeze.
Secret Key:
- Vehicles that come with a key fob that uses buttons to open the doors often have a secret key for emergencies.
- On that one day that the fob battery runs out, drivers can often find a manual key contained inside the fob.
- There is often a button to press or a cap to slide off to reveal it.
