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In the year 1914...
Woodrow Wilson was President of the United States...
the Green Bay Packers did not yet exist...
the United States was two years away from joining World War I...
the cost of a stamp was two cents...
...and Reed Brothers Dodge in Rockville, Maryland was founded.
It is a family business history that parallels the evolution of the American automobile industry itself
1914
Lewis Reed became a partner in the Rockville Garage with Robert L. and Griffith Warfield. The Warfield Brothers purchased the building in July 1915, from the Ricketts Brothers, who had sold Overland and Pullman brand cars, 1914-1915.
1915
In 1915, Lewis Reed bought out Rockville Garage from the Warfields, becoming the sole owner. By October, the Rockville Garage was franchised as a Dodge dealership and service facility; less than one year after the first Dodge automobile rolled off the assembly line.
Also in 1915, they began selling gas from a single pump at the apex of the triangle at Veirs Mill Road and Rockville Pike. The company was the first Gulf gas dealer in the still rural Washington, D.C. area.
1916
The first Auto Mechanics of the Rockville Garage (pictured here) consisted of Lewis Reed, Mr. Long (whose first name is unknown), and Phillip Reed.
1917 The United States Enters World War I
1919
In August of 1919, Lewis Reed’s brother Edgar joined the business, and the name of the company was changed to Reed Brothers Dodge.
During the early years, Reed Brothers represented several franchise nameplates along with Dodge, including Bates, Hudson, Essex, and Oldsmobile.
1921 Reed Brothers Dodge got a facelift with a new remodel (below)
1927
A new Gulf Gas Station was erected on the Veirs Mill Road site, along with a new building and repair shop.
1928
Walter P. Chrysler took over after Horace and John Dodge died and Lewis Reed became an original member of the Chrysler family of automobiles.
1929 Start of the Great Depression
1930
Reed Brothers added the Plymouth line in 1930.
1935
Reed Brothers Dodge & Plymouth inaugurated a new Auto Body and Fender Repair Department
1940
Reed Brothers celebrated its 25th Anniversary. (Edgar and Lewis Reed, at center, receiving a plaque commemorating the event.)
1941
Reed Brothers constructed a completely new building for the Parts and Service Department. The short connector street behind the dealership was named “Dodge Street” by the State of Maryland.
December, 1941 The United States enters World War II
1945
Reed Brothers celebrated their 30th Anniversary in 1945.
1946-1947
After the end of World War II Reed Brothers remodeled again, and also added a separately-maintained glass shop in their service department.
1949
Ernest Lee Gartner, who married Lewis Reed’s daughter, Mary Jane, joined the business.
1950
Reed Brothers celebrated its 35th Anniversary.
1951 Edgar Reed passed away on October 24, 1951 at the age of 60.
1952
On March 4, 1952, the partnership known as Reed Brothers became Reed Brothers, Inc. Lewis Reed was President of the Corporation - Arthur L. Watkins, Vice President and Sales Manager - Ernest Lee Gartner, Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager. In addition to its Officers, the firm employed twenty-one people to assist in the operation of the business.
1953
Due to changes in the highway around it, Reed Brothers began an extensive remodeling and rebuilding program, consisting of a sizable addition which enlarged the showroom area and housed the parts department. Two-thirds of the original location at the junction of then Route 240 and Veirs Mill Road was razed and a modern Gulf Service Station was erected.
1965
Reed Brothers celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a double cake-cutting ceremony at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C.
C.C. Wine, founder of Wine Brothers, (Harrisonburg, Virginia) and Lewis Reed, founder of Reed Brothers, Inc. (Rockville, Maryland) had both received their Dodge franchises in 1915.
1967
Lewis Reed passed away on January 28, 1967 at the age of 79.
The Senate of Maryland passed Senate Resolution No. 10 (pictured) honoring the life of Lewis Reed, sponsored by Senator Thomas M. Anderson, Jr. and Senator Louise Gore.
Lee Gartner continued the business as President of the company, making Reed Brothers Dodge a second-generation dealer.
1968
In 1968, Lee Gartner’s two sons, Richard and Barry started working at the dealership part-time when they were around 15 years old. Through junior high and high school, they worked in all departments of the dealership.
1970
Reed Brothers Dodge relocated to a brand new 26,000 square foot showroom and service complex on Route 355 at 15955 Frederick Road Rockville Maryland.
December 6, 1970, marked the Grand Opening of the new building. Reed Brothers held a dual celebration with an open house and the observance of their 55th Anniversary.
1974
Lee Gartner’s eldest daughter, Jeanne, started working in the general office to learn the business.
1979 The first Chrysler bailout
Chrysler was rescued from bankruptcy by Congress and President Jimmy Carter. Reed Brothers survived the first Chrysler Bailout and resurgence under Lee Iacocca.
1983
Sales improved dramatically with the debut of the first modern minivans. Chrysler paid off government loans seven years early.
1987
Lee Gartner’s youngest daughter, Bonnie (Gartner) Warfield, joined the business. She later served as the F&I Manager, Director of Advertising and Corporate Secretary at Reed Brothers Dodge.
1990 Reed Brothers Dodge celebrated its 75th Anniversary. Lee Gartner received a plaque commemorating the milestone from the Chrysler company.
1993 When Lee Gartner retired and became Chairman of the Board, Richard was designated as President/Dealer Principal and Barry served as Vice President/General Manager, making Reed Brothers Dodge a third-generation dealer.
1998
Reed Brothers underwent an extensive $1M renovation and expansion that included state-of-the-art improvements in both sales and service.
1998 Chrysler Sold to Daimler
Daimler acquired Chrysler in a stock swap for $26 billion. Under Daimler-Chrysler, the company was named Daimler-Chrysler Motors Company LLC, with its U.S. operations generally called the “Chrysler Group."
2000
Reed Brothers celebrated its 85th Anniversary
2005
Reed Brothers celebrated its 90th Anniversary.
After retiring from the military in July 2006, Jeanne Gartner rejoined the family business as Internet Director and later served as Corporate Secretary and Director of Digital Marketing and Advertising.
2007-2008 Chrysler sold to Cerberus
Cerberus Capital Management bought Chrysler for $5 billion. Soon after, America’s economy slid into recession. Due to poor sales and debt, Chrysler had to declare bankruptcy. The federal government intervened yet again and eventually Dodge came under control of Fiat.
By 2008, sales had plummeted 30%. Chrysler and General Motors Corporation, once the world’s largest automakers, begged the government for help. With the company nearing financial collapse, President George W. Bush agreed to lend Chrysler $4 billion.
2009 Chrysler files for bankruptcy
Chrysler filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and terminated 25% of its dealerships by June, including Reed Brothers. After almost 95 years selling Dodges, Reed Brothers was notified by Chrysler that their franchise agreement would not be renewed.
Reed Brothers changed its name from Reed Brothers Dodge to Reed Brothers Automotive and continued on as a used car dealer and repair shop.
2012
On May 1, 2012, Reed Brothers announced the closing of their 97-year-old Rockville, Maryland dealership.
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