Automotive 'Giant' gets a little bigger

NORWICH – A local car dealership has expanded its facilities and increased its selection by adding a new location.

Smith Ford LLC, 175 East Main Street, Norwich, purchased an additional storage warehouse last year in response to the flood and has been converting the building into a new site so the growing business can offer a larger inventory of vehicles.

The new location, formerly Whipple’s lumberyard on East River Road, has been named the Giant Warehouse after the company’s longstanding advertising trademark, “The Automotive gGiant.”

“The whole ordeal with the Whipple building started with the last flood. We had to move our cars out of the area before the water could damage them, so I bought the building on the spot. I needed higher ground,” said Managing Owner Will Tyrrell.

The recently-opened site can house somewhere around 85 vehicles and currently has a selection of over 50 lining its walls and parking lots.

“As long as I’m here, you won’t ever find a Ford at the new warehouse. All Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles will be housed at our current location across from the county fairgrounds. Every other brand will be found over at the Giant Warehouse just across the river,” said Tyrrell.