Justin Cook | The Roanoke Times

From left: Thomas Saltarelli, a regional manager for General Motors, jokes with George Harvey Sr. after presenting him and his son George Jr. with an award recognizing Harvey Chevrolet Oldsmobile Cadillac's 50 years of service in Radford.

In 50 years of business, Harvey's auto dealership in Radford has never laid off a single employee. "My philosophy has always been to treat people the way you like to be treated yourself," says founder George Harvey Sr.

| Sean Kotz

Special to The Roanoke Times

RADFORD -- On Dec. 7, 1959, George Harvey Sr. launched Harvey Chevrolet Oldsmobile Cadillac on Norwood Street in Radford.

Fifty years, one location change and 72,236 sales later, Harvey's is still going strong despite the troubled economy and auto industry.

But the number they are most proud of may be zero.

In 50 years of business, Harvey's has never laid off a single employee.

"My philosophy has always been to treat people the way you like to be treated yourself," said Harvey, now 81.

"That seems to take care of everything and everybody."

Harvey's has stressed the service end of the business from the beginning and has some customers who have been with the dealership from the first year.

"After you have been doing business with somebody for a number of years," he added.

"You get to know their wives and children and they are not only customers but they become friends, part of an extended family."

The idea of an extended family is essential to the Harvey's formula, according to George Harvey Jr.

George Harvey Jr. and brother Brad Harvey are the current co-owners of Harvey's in Radford and Harvey Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Floyd.

When they entered the family business, Harvey's sons worked at every level of the business at some point, from parts to service to sales.

Brad Harvey said they both started in maintenance.

"From throwing out trash to cleaning the toilets, that's pretty much where everybody started," he said.

"It was a good place to start. It gives you a better chance to relate to all your employees," he added.

George Harvey Jr. said no one ever accused their father of favoritism, and everyone stayed close knit throughout the organization.

He recalled when he was a teenager, they would shut down operations for a week in the summer, rent a fleet of boats, and everyone and their families went on a deep-sea fishing expedition.

It created a special sense of bonding, to say the least.

"I remember one of the techs telling me that seasickness was all in the mind," George Harvey Jr. said.

"Five minutes later, he was hanging over the side with the rest of us."

He also pointed out that every year Harvey's has turned a profit and employees benefit from a profit sharing plan.

As a result, it is not surprising that several of Harvey's 62 full- and part-time employees have worked there for 25 years or more.

General Manager Bob Caldwell is one of those employees. His first day of work was Oct. 1, 1962.

"A new car announcement was a lot more festive back then," he recalled.

"People were more excited back then. Dealers kept cars under wraps for several months before you had your official showing."

Caldwell said that technology has changed tremendously as well, from more sophisticated vehicles to Internet sales, but one thing that has remained consistent is the family-oriented business.

George Harvey Sr. still maintains an office and comes in to check up and lend his experience.

"The boys do all the work now," said George Harvey Sr., sitting in his son's office, "but I still enjoy being in here."

"All I can say is it's been a great ride."