SPRING VALLEY FORD - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- General Manager
- Management
Jeff Schimmer joined his father, Don Schimmer, full time at the dealership in June of 1984. Jeff Schimmer was named Dealer Operator in 1986 at just 22 years old. Dona Schimmer Scharff joined the dealership with Don and Jeff Schimmer in 1988. Don Schimmer, long-time dealership owner, passed away in October of 2008.
In 1989, Schimmer Chevrolet Buick established our current location at 1501 S 13th Avenue in Mendota, just south of town on Route 251. Here we built a brand new facility that would eventually become the heart of the four Schimmer dealerships owned and operated by Jeff Schimmer. The location's unique design was created by Jeff Schimmer with the assistance of Phalen Steel in Mendota.
Jeff Schimmer went on to purchase the Ford Lincoln Mercury dealership from Riverside Ford in Peru, Illinois in 1991. The Hyundai franchise was later added in 2001 and a brand new facility was built. Schimmer Ford Lincoln Hyundai, Inc., continues to operate at the corners of Shooting Park Road and Marquette Road in Peru.
In 2009, Jeff Schimmer acquired Valley Ford in Spring Valley, Illinois and named it Spring Valley Ford. An additional Ford dealership was added a few years later when Jeff Schimmer purchased R&R Ford in Mendota. Mendota Ford operates at the same location directly next to Schimmer Chevrolet Buick on Route 251.
In 2020, we expanded and undertook a substantial service expense to establish Schimmer Truck Center at the Schimmer Chevrolet Buick Mendota location. The addition of Schimmer Truck Center allows Schimmer Chevrolet to specialize in the complete sales, service, parts and upfits of Medium Duty trucks, vans, etc.
Belonging to a small community for such a long time means we absolutely must maintain the very best level of customer service around. We strive to provide only the finest experience out of respect for our employees, customers, families and community! Continuous operation of our Schimmer Dealeships since 1945 has provided us with 80 years' worth of knowledge, lessons and principles passed down from generation to generation.