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BALLSTON SPA – Family-owned dealership Mangino Buick GMC, Inc. has nearly completed renovations at its location on Saratoga Road in Ballston Spa, selling new Buicks, GMCs and certified preowned vehicles.

There is one task left in the way of completing renovations, however, and it’s a very large piece of family history – the Mangino family house.

The dealership was able to move into its new facility on February 17. During renovations, the dealership saw an uptick in sales since September 2013, having sold about 300 vehicles.

“Business has been good even though we were displaced out of our old store,” General Manager Ralph Mangino said. “And now that we are in here we have definitely seen a lot of activity, which is very positive.

Ralph Mangino, Sr.’s former home, which had most recently operated as the dealership’s office during renovations, now blocks the dealership from view of potential customers driving along the road.

Renovations began with General Motors Co.’s (GM) issuance of a restructuring plan that required GM dealers to conduct upgrades to meet brand specifications.

GM initially requested that Mangino Buick GMC move to another location entirely in order to satisfy its specifications for uniformity. However, instead of moving, Mangino Buick GMC negotiated for complete knock-down renovations that included demolishing the house and building a new facility. GM agreed.

“We were not interested in going backwards,” Mangino said. “We were looking to move forward and that's what the deal was.”

The house is scheduled to come down in a few weeks after having been on the lot for the 36 years that the Mangino Buick GMC, Inc. has been in operation.

“It was my father's house and everyone grew up at that house,” said Mangino. “So there is definitely an emotional attachment. It's just, when you see the new store you will understand immediately. It (the house) makes it difficult to see the new store from the road.”

In its place 30 new parking spots will be constructed, making the facility three times larger than the old store and increasing its visibility from the road. Then in spring, after the lot has been paved, the dealership will host its grand opening.

Mangino Chevrolet in Amsterdam carried out reconstruction and invested $2 million to build a new showroom at its location on Route 20 in 2012. Mangino declined to comment on the investments for renovations at its location in Ballston Spa.

With renovations almost finished, Mangino is satisfied with the outcome of the negotiation and the new facility. “Seeing the way it is, we are really glad we did stay.”