ELIZABETHTON – Steve Grindstaff has sold another piece of his Little Detroit.
On Tuesday Chantz Scott said he has bought Grindstaff Ford. He said the deal has already received approval in Big Detroit and Scott said he is now working on the final details with the state.
As he did with the sale of his Chrysler dealership a few weeks ago, Grindstaff made the sale to someone who has been close to him for many years. Adam Mullins, Grindstaff’s son-in-law, bought the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram dealership. Scott said he and Grindstaff have been in business together for about 10 years and the two men are partners in Kingsport Kia.
Scott is a former wide receiver on the Science Hill High School Hilltoppers football team and went on to play for Coach Paul Hamilton at Elon College.
Scott said he will change the name of the dealership to Southeast Ford. He said his dealership and the Mullins Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram dealership will be located together at the Little Detroit complex on the western approach to Elizabethton on U.S. Highway 321, but Scott said the two will be independent operations. Scott said he could not comment on the future of Grindstaff’s remaining Kia franchises.
The two operations will hold grand openings in the next few months. “I think Mullins Chrysler will hold a grand opening in March. Southeast Ford should have their grand opening in April,” Scott said.
Scott said he expects sales to pick up in the near future and is looking forward to serving Elizabethton.
Scott said Grindstaff wanted to sell his franchises “because he wants to spend more time with his family, his wife, Ashley, and his three boys.”