Longtime area auto dealership changes hands
WILTON, N.Y. >> Longtime local dealership Lant’s Auto Sales recently changed hands, entering a new chapter as Karlin’s Auto Sales.
New owner Lindsay Karlin recently leased the former Lant’s Auto Sales from John Lant upon his retirement in 2018.
Now renamed Karlin’s Auto Sales, the local business is continuing its role of offering preowned vehicles to the local community.
Lant’s Auto Sales was originally founded in 1960 in Saratoga Springs by John Lant’s parents Jim and Kay Lant.
In the early 1970s, the business moved to its current location at 590 Maple Ave. in Wilton, also home to John McEachron’s ReliaTech Auto Services.
For 58 years, Lant’s Auto Sales served the Wilton and Saratoga Springs communities, and now Karlin aims to continue the company’s role as a hometown automotive dealership, offering friendly personalized service along with a variety of preowned vehicles.
“We thought this would be great to take over where John left off, and take care of our local community,” said Karlin, who runs the business with partner Bill Arpey.
Both local residents, Karlin and Arpey bring a combined 60 years of customer service to Karlin’s Auto Sales. They each have worked in the area for decades, and are excited about this new entrepreneurial endeavor.
John Lantz trusted Karlin and Arpey with the important task of serving his own longtime customers.
“I highly recommend anybody looking for a preowned car to come see these two guys,” he said. “You will get the same honesty and integrity as you got from me and my family for the past 58 years.”
Looking ahead to the future, Karlin hopes to continue this legacy and grow the business. In 2020, Karlin’s Auto Sales and John McEachron’s ReliaTech Auto Services anticipate building a new facility, adjacent to the current location, with more space and modern features — while still maintaining that same hometown feel.
“It’s a hometown neighborhood buying experience,” Karlin said. “There’s a need in the market for a hometown place without the big overwhelming process.”
By operating a small business with a two-person team and low overhead, Karlin’s Auto Sales strives to offer its customers affordable prices. Cars on the lot can start at around $5,000 or $6,000, Karlin said, noting that all vehicles are handpicked, late
model, inspected cars and a Carfax is run on every one.
Karlin’s Auto Sales is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and anytime by appointment.
More information about Karlin’s Auto Sales is available online at www.karlinsauto.com.
The dealership can be contacted by calling (518) 584-7131.