Joe and Marietta Rewucki.
Joe Rewucki began life on the farm just north of Winnipeg and the chairman of the board of Eastern Chrysler Dodge Jeep has never strayed far from his roots. It is that tradition of country hospitality that plays a major part in the north Main Street dealership's success over 65 years in business.
"We are having different events throughout the year to celebrate our 65th anniversary," says Marietta Rewucki, Joe's daughter, who is currently Eastern Chrysler's president and general manager.
Joe Rewucki's father was a market gardener on Henderson Highway in the Lockport area. ("We used to sell potatoes to Kelekis," he recalls.) Joe's daughter, Teresa, and her husband, Dolf Fandych, now own the land, which is Heritage Golf Course.
Joe, his father, Andrew, and Joe's brother-in-law, John Gusnoski, first became Chrysler dealers in 1946 when they bought an existing combination Chrysler and John Deere store in Beausejour. "We also dealt in chemicals and other mechanical equipment farmers needed," Joe Rewucki recalls.
The family opened their Chrysler store in Winnipeg in 1957, across the street from the current location at the corner of Main and Leila. They bought the property where they are now in 1966. At one point, the Rewucki family operated three Chrysler stores -- in Winnipeg, Selkirk and Beausejour -- and two John Deere stores.
(In 1995, the family returned to Selkirk when Joe's son, Andy, bought the Chrysler store and renamed it Selkirk Chrysler. Andy's sons are also involved in the Selkirk store.
Eastern Chrysler Dodge Jeep is a full-service dealership with a staff of 90, sitting on four acres of land. The store has an inventory of about 350 new and used models as well as a fleet division and one of Winnipeg's largest independent rental operations.
Eastern Chrysler boasts one of Manitoba's largest Chrysler service repair shops as well as Manitoba's Only Mopar Speedshop in their parts department -- including restoration and performance parts, aftermarket and rebuilt parts -- and a state-of-the-art body shop.
Although now in his 86th year, Joe Rewucki continues to come into work every day. "This is an exciting business and I still have a lot of ideas," he says.
Marietta Rewucki hastens to add her dad's input and guidance is much appreciated.
Joe Rewucki says Eastern Chrysler's success has been built on taking care of their customers. "When I was growing up, your word of honour was important," he says. "We have customers whose families bought their first cars from us in the 1940s."
Family is also the way the Rewuckis feel about their staff members -- and the feeling is reciprocated. "Lee Loewen just retired from our parts department after 45 years here," says Marietta Rewucki. "We have a number of employees who have been with us between 20 and 30 years. Some of our employees have never worked anywhere else."
Community has also always been important to the Rewucki family. They support and get involved with a plethora of charitable and community organizations and encourage their staff members to do the same.
Joe Rewucki has also been a leader in the auto industry locally and nationally. He has served as president of the Manitoba Motor Dealers Association, Chrysler Canada's Regional Dealer Council and the manufacturer's national Dealer Council.
And, of course, there is the Chrysler product that has underwritten Eastern Chrysler's success and longevity. Marietta Rewucki is excited about the all-new Chrysler lineup. "All of the 14 2011 Chrysler models have been changed and improved," she points out, "and the Ram, the Journey and the Grand Caravan are among the top 10 bestselling models in Canada right now."
The newest models to arrive have been the 2011 Durango -- which appeared in dealership showrooms for the first time in early March -- and the Chrysler 200, which arrived in late February. The Rewucki family is very excited about the new direction Chrysler has taken and is looking forward to showcasing the new products to their clientele as they continue to celebrate this milestone year.
