Leo Kaytes Ford celebrates retro renovations

WARWICK — After a year of planning and six months of construction, Leo Kaytes Ford, Route 94 in Warwick, is ready for business.
On Friday, Aug. 18, state, county and local officials, representatives of the Ford Motor Company and members of the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce joined CEO Leo Kaytes Sr. and President Leo R. Kaytes, their families, staff and friends for a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house.
It was a $400,000 renovation. And after considering several different designs presented by the Ford Motor Company, the owners opted for a hometown country feel, turning the dealership into a turn of the century barn.
"We wanted a building that fits in with our town," said Leo R. Kaytes, "not something that belongs on a highway somewhere. Our customers really seem to be enjoying the new building. We added a new service drive-through and now our customers can just pull into the building to be greeted by our service team."
Leo Kaytes Ford will be celebrating its 40th anniversary next year.
"We turned the clock back and went with a retro design," he said.
The service drive-through, for example, is complete with a 1950's gas pump and a working air meter.
However, the service department has the latest technology.
"We have always had a small town country attitude as opposed to a highway mentality," said Leo Kaytes Sr.
Part of the open house was to raise money for Backpack Snack attack.
Leo Kaytes Ford made a donation for every person that came to the open house.
"We raised $2,000," said Kaytes.
- Roger Gavan