Audi Jacksonville is preparing to open a $15 million dealership Monday in East Arlington at 11401 Atlantic Blvd.
Jack Hanania, CEO and founder of Hanania Automotive Group, says the dealership will employ 50 to 60 people initially and up to 100 eventually.
“The brand is a luxury performance brand and we felt like there needed to be representation on Atlantic Boulevard,” Hanania said.
“That side of the river is a good market for us and we felt like it would be a good idea” to open there.
Audi Jacksonville will be one of at least 20 dealerships operating, planned or under development along the stretch of Atlantic Boulevard from Regency Square Mall to Kernan Boulevard.
Hanania said the Audi lineup will continue to expand and needed to be on both sides of town – the Atlantic dealership on the east and Blanding Boulevard on the west.
At the entrance is the 10-car showroom. The open floor plan features an Audi racetrack framing the second story, where a customer lounge offers amenities, technology and privacy.
Technology throughout the dealership includes large screens in front of couches, which are consultation areas where customers can meet with sales staff. Dealership associates will work from iPads.
The service area, brightly lit above and with white epoxy-coated floors below, can accommodate 20 vehicles.
An Audi architectural group representing the German automaker approves the dealership details, including graphics that decorate the walls.
A wall-length display of the Jacksonville skyline covers one side of the new-delivery area.
Service hours will be 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Sales hours will be 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Stephan Gronberg will oversee the new dealership as well as assist with operations at the Orange Park-area Audi Jacksonville at 7230 Blanding Blvd.
Shemron Tomer will oversee the Orange Park dealership and report to Gronberg.
Hanania started Hanania Automotive Group in 1998 when he bought Acura of Orange Park. The group now comprises 18 brand franchises and a collision center in four states.
“The Jacksonville market has grown and it will continue to grow,” Hanania said. “We see an uptick in our luxury brand and Jacksonville’s future looks brighter than ever.”
