Massey Cadillac Shuts Down Sanford Location

Massey Cadillac in Sanford has shut down and Eyewitness News was there as cars were being taken off the lot Wednesday. There is a sign on the door that says the dealership is closing to better serve customers and is consolidating with the Orlando location.

Massey Cadillac is owned by Sonic Automotive, which is the nation’s third largest auto dealership group. Sonic Automotive was on the brink of bankruptcy earlier this year, but was able to postpone a $90 million debt payment to avert the filing. A spokesperson from the company did not answer questions about what is happening to employees at the Sanford facility.

Employees cleared out early Wednesday morning. The website for the Sanford dealership is already being re-routed to the Orlando dealership, which will remain open.

Willie Warren retired before the auto industry collapsed; he knows many of those laid off two weeks before Christmas.

“It's sad to see it happen, but this is the car business. I've worked in it 47 years,” former employee Willie Warren said. “I feel sad for them, because I know how it feels to be without a job.”

Guards walked the parking lot where doors were locked. Customers who were there looking for parts and cars being serviced were perplexed by locked doors and a service department that no longer exists. Many vehicles that were at the Sanford location for service had to be towed to Orlando.

“Are you surprised they're closing this operation down?” WFTV reporter Steve Barrett asked.

“Yes, they've been here a long time and I bought it from here. I'll stay with Massey, it's been good,” customer Mildred Grooms said.

Eyewitness News learned that many of the employees were simply told their jobs are gone. Though the company would not confirm it, Eyewitness News learned there were between 30 to 35 employees laid off.

An insider also told Eyewitness News that employee’s pay and benefits ended at midnight.