The Hope/Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce Community Coffee on Wednesday (7-22) was hosted by Hope Auto Ford. Hope Auto is one of the oldest Ford Dealers in the state of Arkansas. The company began in 1921 and the McLarty family, who now owns the dealership, was involved in it from the beginning. Prior to the founding of the dealership, Fords were sold at Hope Hardware (now LaGrone Williams). They were shipped by rail, assembled on the 2nd floor, and brought downstairs via a gravity elevator. When it became clear autos were here to stay, Hope Auto was spun off as an individual business and was located next to door to the Hardware store (where the Rainbow of Challenges recycling facility now is). Hope Auto moved to a new location near I-30 about 1982.
Hope Auto is one of the few Ford dealers in southwest Arkansas and would welcome you stopping in to look at the new Ford vehicles!
