HADLEY — A Subaru dealership on Route 9 that came to Hadley as part of a merger 13 years ago is being brought under the Balise Motor Sales umbrella.

The Select Board on Wednesday approved the transfer of the Class 1 auto sales license held by Steve Lewis Subaru at 315 Russell St. to Balise SLS LLC.

“We feel blessed Steve chose us and all we want to do is enhance it and keep its philosophy,” said Jeb Balise, president of Balise, observing that it has been among the top Subaru dealers in New England based on customer satisfaction and market share.

“Steve and I have been competitors and friends for more than 30 years, I’ve been a big fan of the job they’re doing, and the timing made sense for both of us,” Balise said.

For customers, it will be will be business as usual.

“All the same people, the same general manager, the same team,” Balise said. “Our job is to support them and continue what Steve did.”

But Balise said he will expand the footprint of the property and construct a new, modern facility on site, becoming one of 26 dealerships, mostly in western Massachusetts, but also Rhode Island, Connecticut and Cape Cod, along with collision repair centers and car washes.

Thomas Reidy, an attorney with Bacon and Wilson representing Balise, told the Select Board the transfer will allow the transaction to move forward.

With the asset purchase there will likely be an eventual name change and other modifications to the site, Reidy said.

“What I anticipate in the next three to six months is we’ll be in front of the Planning Board because the site is going to be redeveloped for a new and modern Subaru dealership,” Reidy said.

Steve Lewis Subaru opened in Northampton at 48 Damon Road in 1999, relocating to the Route 9 site in 2010 when it merged with Performance Motoring, a used Volvo dealership. At the time, Lewis, the owner, said the merger was necessary due to the limited site from which he was operating.

The license allows 187 vehicles to be parked on site, subject to conditions set by the Planning Board, Conservation Commission and building inspector. So-called “Tier 1” documents for the renovation of the property will be submitted to the building inspector and Fire Department within six months.

Select Board member Joyce Chunglo said she appreciated Steve Lewis Subaru.

“They’ve been a good business for us, and I hope Balise will do the same,” Chunglo said.

Reidy said the expectation is that the changes to the dealership will mean a redevelopment for that section of Route 9. Balise will soon be meeting with officials to outline his plans.

“He’s really looking forward to being part of the community of Hadley,” Reidy said.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.]]>