By Paul Post
Romeo Auto Group is undertaking a more than $7 million investment on Quaker Road in Queensbury, which includes upgrading its Auto Outlet to a Toyota-certified pre-owned vehicle dealership and acquiring the adjacent Garden Time property.
“Our first order of business is to build a reconditioning facility on the back of the Garden Time property,” co-owner Mike Romeo said. “When a vehicle comes in on trade and we have to service it, clean it and take pictures of it to get ready for the front line.”
Romeo’s market presence has greatly expanded in recent years with the December 2024 acquisition of Whiteman Chevrolet on Dix Avenue in Glens Falls, in addition to Ford and Subaru dealerships in Saratoga Springs in March 2025.
It also owns a full-fledged Toyota dealership on Broad Street in Glens Falls and Carriage Traders in South Glens Falls, where Romeo’s father, Len, and his partner, Jim Zappone, started the business in 1982.
“We’re definitely in a growth mode,” Mike said.
But he said there are no plans to move any current dealership or start a new one at the Garden Time nursery property fronting Quaker Road.
“There’s a lot of rumors flying around, but for the foreseeable future we’re not building any dealerships over there,” he said. “Nobody believes that, but it’s the truth. We bought it because it’s great real estate on a busy road in Queensbury. Eventually I’m sure we’ll do something there, but not for the foreseeable future.”
Acquisition of two Quaker Road properties totaling 14 acres cost $4.25 million alone. Romeo bought its Auto Outlet site, which it had been leasing, from James Barrett for $1.75 million. Garden Time’s property went for $2.5 million.
In addition, Romeo will spend up to $3.5 million converting its Auto Outlet into a Toyota-certified pre-owned business and building the new vehicle reconditioning facility. Both projects are scheduled for completion in 2027.
Garden Time is expected to cease operations on Quaker Road this fall or winter.
But its owners have already begun clearing land on Route 9 in Moreau, just south of Exit 17, for a new venture called Garden World LLC. Plans call for a business similar to their current Garden Time Outdoor Structures at Exit 16 in Wilton.
Garden Time’s owner discussed the proposal at the Moreau Town Planning Board’s August meeting. According to meeting minutes, he said the site has two zones, one commercial and one residential, and they’re working with the town to have it rezoned.
“They want to put their garden sheds on display, (an) office building and equipment storage building,” minutes say.
There will be no greenhouses or sale of plants and flowers. It is strictly for outdoor product displays and sales.
A public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 21.
Garden Time, one of the area’s most popular nursery centers, was founded in 1975. Its closure is part of a nationwide green industry trend that’s seeing family-owned, independent nurseries sell their high-value property to other types of businesses.
Quaker Road is one of Warren County’s busiest commercial corridors, with numerous auto dealerships and related firms such as tire stores and a Hoffman Car Wash. Retail outlets and medical groups are actively competing for remaining sites, including the well-known Heidelberg Restaurant property, listed with Coldwell Banker Prime Properties for $550,000.
In addition to Saratoga and Warren counties, Romeo Auto Group has six more dealerships in the Kingston area, overseen by Mike’s brother, Joseph. The company employs more than 700 people.
Mike said the current Auto Outlet on Quaker Road will look like a Toyota store with a large Toyota sign out front when the site’s conversion is done. It will have several dozen Toyota vehicles for sale in addition to a range of other vehicles, from heavy-duty pickup trucks to entry-level cars.
“We hope to have it renovated by late spring,” he said.