Homewood village officials and Ford of Homewood staff gathered on Oct. 30 to celebrate the completion of a major renovation of the dealership.
Prior to the ribbon cutting, Mayor Rich Hofeld noted that he and dealership owner Steve Phillipos have a long history of working together, starting with what Phillipos recalled was “the death of the car industry” during the Great Recession of 2007-2009.
Regarding the fate of the auto industry back then, Hofeld said, “Steve and I didn’t believe it. That’s why we’re here today.”
At the time, Phillipos owned one dealership in town, Chevrolet of Homewood. In April 2009, the village agreed to increase the dealership’s portion of sales tax revenue by amending the existing tax sharing agreement. Village officials at the time said the move was an investment in keeping an important business afloat through difficult times, according to a Chicago Tribune report.
Chevrolet of Homewood weathered the recession, and in 2021 Phillipos purchased the former Van Drunen Ford at 3233 183rd St. The extensive renovations include expanded service stations, updated charging stations for electric vehicles, a remodeled showroom, a larger customer waiting room and a new entrance.
