Fort of Homewood team members, from left, Bradley Reed, Jeff Moyers, Sarah Lovitt, owner Steve Phillipos, Bob Cuban, Samuel Bailey and Daniel Wood, inside the remodeled show floor. (Nick Ulanowski/H-F Chronicle)
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Renovations making Ford of Homewood a state-of-the art facility

A multi-million-dollar renovation project is making Ford of Homewood a state-of-the-art facility bringing the business into the 21st century.

According to owner Steve Phillipos, the renovations include expanded service stations for mechanics, updated charging stations for electric vehicles, a remodeled showroom, a larger customer waiting room and a new entrance.

In mid-December, there were still signs of ongoing construction at Ford of Homewood during a holiday pet adoption event. (Eric Crump/H-F Chronicle)
In mid-December, there were still signs of ongoing construction at Ford of Homewood during a holiday pet adoption event. (Eric Crump/H-F Chronicle)

Phillipos, who also owns Chevrolet of Homewood, bought the Ford store at 3233 183rd Street in 2021. For 91 years, it was known as Van Drunen Ford.

“We changed the name to Ford of Homewood to honor Homewood and we decided to make it a completely different store,” Phillipos said. “We decided to make this a big contending store versus a small mom-and-dad store.”

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Phillipos said the renovations began about eight months ago and Ford of Homewood is currently in “phase two” of the project. He said the vehicle inventory was expanded, the lot was enlarged and an offsite storage unit was added.  

“Everything’s been completely redone from the studs up. The old building was a lot smaller and from 1969,” Phillipos said. “From gas cars to trucks to electric vehicles, we’re going to have it all here. […] If it’s automotive and it’s Ford, it’s going to be here.”

Fort of Homewood team members, from left, Bradley Reed, Jeff Moyers, Sarah Lovitt, owner Steve Phillipos, Bob Cuban, Samuel Bailey and Daniel Wood, inside the remodeled show floor. (Nick Ulanowski/H-F Chronicle)
Fort of Homewood team members, from left, Bradley Reed, Jeff Moyers, Sarah Lovitt, owner Steve Phillipos, Bob Cuban, Samuel Bailey and Daniel Wood, inside the remodeled show floor. (Nick Ulanowski/H-F Chronicle)

The showroom has been completely remodeled and a new front entrance is being constructed. 

Phillipos said a drive-up will be added so customers getting automotive service can check in without exiting their vehicles. He said the new waiting room will have sofas and chairs and provide customers with coffee and tea.

Although only about 5% of Ford of Homewood customers are in the market for an electric vehicle, Phillipos said the business still wants to be a worthwhile destination for these customers.

Ford of Homewood general manager Robert Cuban concurred, adding that if the demand for electric vehicles increases in the coming years, they want to be ready.

Signs of renovation progress: Construction equipment outside of Ford of Homewood. (Provided photo)
Signs of renovation progress: Construction equipment outside of Ford of Homewood. (Provided photo)

Cuban said Ford of Homewood previously only had Level One charging stations for electric vehicles but now has Level Three chargers. According to the Department of Transportation, Level Three chargers can be about eight times quicker.

“We’re going to add nine more bays so we can service more clients,” Cuban said. “Service bays would be like nine more stalls. So, we can hire more mechanics to take on more business.” 

“The renovations happened without losing the feel that the business has been in Homewood for as long as it has. It’s more modern. It’s been brought into the 21st century, but it doesn’t feel like we dropped a spaceship in the middle of town,” Ford of Homewood social media manager Sarah Lovitt said. “It’s been cool watching it come together.”

“We love this town. We love this area. We love the South Suburbs,” Phillipos said. “We wouldn’t go anywhere else.”

Phillipo said he expects the rest of Ford of Homewood’s remodeling project to be completed by May.

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